New Zealand Massacre

Ram Puniyani

New Zealand Massacre: ‘Clash of Civilizations’ thesis Stalks the World!

The horrific massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15th March, Friday 2019 has shaken the World. The killer, Brenton Harrison Tarrant, is an Australian citizen.  Nearly 50 People died in the attack as two mosques were attacked. Those killed include nine from India. Tarrant had fixed the camera on his head so as to live stream the massacre. What prompted him to undertake this violence was his ideology which holds that today Europe is facing the threat of Muslim immigration and violence. The Christchurch terrorist was consumed by intense racism and hatred of Muslims. He posted a long statement, “manifesto” on ‘white nationalism’ before undertaking the dastardly act. All over the World there were diverse reactions to this horrific act. New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, who at 38 years of age is also among the youngest heads of government in the world, declared that the victims, many of whom may be migrants or refugees, “are us” and the shooter “is not”. The overriding theme of the Prime Minister’s statements was that her country represents “diversity, compassion and refuge”. “I want to assure people… that all our agencies are responding in the most appropriate way that includes at our borders.” The Pope in a very touching speech said, “In these days, in addition to the pain of wars and conflicts that do not cease to afflict humanity, there have been the victims of the horrible attack against two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand… I am close to our Muslim brothers and all that community… ” Interestingly as in India the Islam-Muslim phobia is founded on the narrow version of history. This phobia against Muslims in the World began more so after 9/11 twin tower attack. This phobia has by now constructed the ‘History’ which gives details of the Muslim invaders. This as we see in India is again selective. In Europe there have been all types of invasions, but what is highlighted in this version is the Ottoman invasion only which came from a Muslim ruler. Tarrant’s note though sounds very base and hateful will have agreement from many such…