Lesson From Christchurch Mind Your Words

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As we Malaysians react with shock to the terrorist actions that took place in Christchurch yesterday, it is important to consider what may have motivated the perpetrators
As of this writing, three suspects have been arrested and one of them is said to be the person who broadcast livestream footage of himself driving to a mosque, entering it and randomly shooting at the worshippers inside
It’s hard to imagine he had any other reason for the broadcast than to plant terror into the heart of the New Zealand Muslim community
Before the attack, he had posted an online article espousing far-right and anti-immigrant ideology. It’s fair now to assume that he fears Muslims are among the people who threaten to erase the values that are so dear to him
We can see from this that the taking of extreme measures – in words or action – can be provoked by an irrational emotion such as fear born of misguided beliefs
To quote Yoda of Star Wars fame, fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate
Someone’s fall to the dark side can cause grief to an entire nation, as yesterday’s killing of 49 people has done to New Zealand
Malaysians should take heed. An extreme action can ensue even if just one person buys into an irrational fear sold from a pulpit or online posting and develops it into a belief system
We must not tolerate the preaching of hate towards anyone because it can lead to distress for the entire nation
So mind your words. When you sell the idea that someone who is different needs to be treated differently, you are selling the same idea that led to the outrage in two New Zealand mosques
You could be planting a belief in some irrational person that someone of another religion or race or political belief or sexual orientation needs to be feared. That fear can turn to hate and hate can trigger violence
Our thoughts are with the folk of Christchurch and the people of New Zealand as a whole as they try to cope with their heartbreak
Hafidz Baharom is an FMT reader.

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