Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Like the attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York and all the atrocities over the past decade, the events of last Friday in Paris show us and the world that a new fascist imperialism exists in this world because this is what it is. It is difficult to understand the reason for this war and it is a war. War can be understandable when a Government power rules unfairly and does not leave any scope for political change. War can be understood in such circumstances. War can be understood where a nation with greater military power invades and tries to exploit another nation. War is understandable then. There have been religious wars down through the centuries and some are calling this a religious war. I would argue that it is not a religious war. To describe it as a religious war is to fail to understand the rationale behind it and if we fail to understand the rationale behind it, we will not ask the right questions let alone solve this. Why do I say it is not a religious war? How could any religion condone people who feel they will reach a heaven or a state of nirvana by killing innocent men, women and children; who will treat people of other beliefs as subhuman; and who will treat women as vessels for their vanity? That is not religion. How can we begin to understand people who do all of this and are quite willing to blow themselves up while they are killing innocent men, women and children?

There is a new reality that the world must quickly get to grips with. Do we need to look at the role, operations and consequences of operations of the UN? Is there a risk that using the traditional model in the face of this new reality, the UN will end up being regarded as well-meaning but ineffective? Do we need to know who is providing the funding for and who is arming these fundamentalists? Do we know how many, if any, of the guns and explosives being used were manufactured in nations that are now shedding tears for those killed and injured in Paris on Friday night? Where did the arms come from? Where were they manufactured and who paid for and provided them? Do we know how many innocent men, women and children have been killed by retaliatory drone strikes in response to ISIS atrocities? Do we understand the impact of those killings on the families of the dead and wounded men, women and children and the wider community? Finally, have we identified progressive people and organizations in these places who support equality, fraternity, justice and fairness and who could with our support make a difference?

We cannot forget that ISIS has killed infinitely more Muslims than Christians. We must offer our hearts, minds and support to Muslims. It is a little frightening to see some organisations of the far right trying to get the people of our nations to turn against Muslims. That is the last thing that should be allowed to happen. Muslims should be welcomed with open arms and understood.

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