How we're heading for a major global catastrophe, that is, unless we change our ways. We’re all forgetting why we’re in this mess in the first place. Amidst the worst refugee crisis since World War 2 and the deplorable humanitarian disaster we’re witnessing, some still feel as though housing refugees in Europe will solve the problem. It won't. It may ease it for some time but for how long will we continue fighting wars and killing our own, displacing them from their homes and adopting stringent, harsh policies? Europe should take the burden of the refugees, it’s our moral, human and lawful duty. More so we should take it since it was our very nations in the West who created this convoluted situation in the Middle East. Now that Europe is experiencing a backlash for its actions, how it reacts may change the destinies of nations and the course of history forever. Those who accept the refugees will no doubt prosper and be favourably looked upon by coming generations, however those who shirk their responsibility and even at this critical juncture turn a cruel and uncompassionate head, will live to regret the day they showed such cold-hearted response towards their fellow beings. The earth is the common heritage of all people. Our humanity transcends all barriers of race, culture, nationality, religion or anything else. The entire world should be waking up ready to accept the refugees coming from conflicts which we, the West partly created. How soon do we forget the lessons of World Wars. Not even a century has passed since WW2 that we seem to be on the brink of another global conflict. Do people not learn? Is human life not sacred enough? Are the resources in our own countries not sufficient? Is there not enough provision in the world to sustain all human life? Yet from the beginning of man, to these current days of the world, we seem to forget our common humanity and allow base urges to dominate our actions. We shouldn't forget what led us to this inhumane situation though. Unjust, needless wars in foreign lands, supporting rebels groups and propping up puppet dictators has been an unfortunate ghastly imperialistic trait of the West in the last few decades especially. Had we not meddled in the affairs of sovereign nations, we would never have had to deal with such a crisis. If we still don't learn our lessons today (doesn't seem likely we will unfortunately) then a global catastrophe is likely to follow. It seems on the horizon with Russia and the West supporting opposites sides in the Syria conflict. There's always hope however, that our leaders will wake up and some indeed are taking a very magnanimous approach. It’s heartening to see how many have responded so positively, compassionately and well, humanely. With Finland’s Prime Minister (which is way up top of the map, nowhere near any conflict) offering his own home, Germany cheering refugees arriving with sweets and Europe pledging to house our human brothers and sisters, there certainly is much hope. When difficulties arise and disasters strike we see the true face of people. For some, their inherent goodwill comes to the fore in leaps and bounds. For others, the darkness of their hearts, selfish desires and apathy for the suffering of others takes precedence over the greater good. Even here in the UK, I listened in dismay as radio presenters and callers refused to harbour the thought of allowing a Syrian refugee to stay with them in their home saying 'you don't know them, how can you trust them'. My answer was, when did humanity die in the pits? And I do know one thing about them - they're humans just like ourselves. Stone hearted people boldly talk today about how refugees aren't our problem and we shouldn't help them yet if the tables were turned the same people would be crying out for some saviour. Why can't we put ourselves in other's shoes?
Iceland is a little Island far removed from the conflict happening in the mainland. Yet thousands of Icelanders have offered their homes, money, education and even toys! Perhaps we should take a lesson from what is described as the most peaceful country in the world. As for Hungry, what an absurd, irrelevant, xenophobic, Islamophobic, inhumane statement by the Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. He cites Ottoman conquests and Islamic culture as reasons to prevent Syrian refugees from entering Europe. He's allowing his prejudice and ill-founded thoughts about Muslims to cloud what is a larger human issue which has nothing to do with the race, religion, history or culture of the refugees. Such a narrow-minded approach is what leads to warfare and genocide. It's little surprise Israel have refused to take any refugees, they're more content at creating them, having displaced Palestinians for decades. Same is the case with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf regions who are drunk with oil, content in their own comfort and luxury. Little do they realise that they're not safe either. No one is today. In a world where everything is inter-linked, everything affects everyone. Until and unless the world unites, lets go of its egotistical passions and vested interests, our problems won't be solved so readily. The simple solution would be for all nations to work through the UN, construct an international strike force consisting of soldiers from all major nations and put boots on the ground to take out the ISIS disease once and for all. If this happens then world nations can altruistically help build back Syrian and Iraqi infrastructure and re-house the rightful occupants. There is a way back for our mistakes, but some devious souls in this world chillingly enjoy and profit from murder, war and bloodshed. Further, opposing Assad and funding rebels is only intensifying the conflict. When will we learn to stop meddling in the affairs of sovereign nations? Russia is supporting Assad, and we're supporting the rebels - it's a ready-made ticking time bomb for another World War. We mustn't get involved. Does the UN still even exist? One reason for WW2 was that the League of Nations - which was established after WW1 to prevent another catastrophe happening - failed to resolve the problems it was created for. It failed to keep peace and stop war and conflict. The same is happening with the United Nations today. The Guardian reports that the UN's humanitarian agencies are going bankrupt and can't meet the needs of the growing number of needy people. So much for an international agency created for the benefit of mankind at large. UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon similarly admitted that the UN security council is failing Syria due to divisions between the 'big powers'. Suffice to say, we really are looking at a repeat of the events leading up to WW2. History always repeats itself when we fail to draw lessons from it. The shame of the matter is, it's been less than a century and we're already on the brink of another global calamity, due only the the corruption and inhumanity our own hands have wrought. It’s time we all come together before we destroy ourselves. Those nations which act magnanimously today will forever be remembered and protected. Do good to others, one day you might be the ones in need. Who is to say, some day Europe may be in a dire state and we’ll be begging Syria and the Middle East for help. Things can change very quickly. It’s time we come together. Sometimes it takes colossal calamities for us all to unite and come together. Let’s hope and pray it doesn't take too big a calamity.
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AuthorAtif Rashid writes about faith, extremism & mental health. Categories
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August 2021
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