Australian Anti-terror Raids – Creating Fear and Encouraging Terror.

Is it just me… or is Australia preparing for war?

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the proposed Data Retention policy. There hasn’t been much on that front since the initial proposal, but now another disturbing situation has arisen.

Last Thursday, the largest counter terrorism operation  in Australian history took place. More than 800 police officers raided homes across Brisbane and Sydney. 18 people were arrested, though over half of those have been released from custody since then and only two have been formally charged. The reason for these raids was to prevent a suspected terror attack in which a random civilian would have been kidnapped, wrapped in a ISIS flag, and publicly beheaded. It has not yet been confirmed if these plans were indeed to be carried out as has been widely promoted.

On Friday Australia’s National Security level alert was raised from ‘Medium’ to ‘High’ for the first time ever. This level of security is usually only reserved for times of war. The last time most Western countries had a High Alert security level was during the World Wars.

Since the raids there has been mass protests and riots. Media channels have kept a steady flow of stories expanding on the issue. Stories featuring Muslims that usually wouldn’t make the news are flooding news channels. This doesn’t help the situation at all. It is only driving the hysteria, encouraging others to drastic action that isn’t necessary.

I understand that the Government has a duty to protect the Australian people, and the prevent any kind of terror attack from happening. That is their job and I admire them for taking it so seriously and with such dedication. But I don’t understand why they have to create this level of hysteria and fear. Aren’t we, by allowing such a high level of fear to immerse itself into our communities granting the terrorists victory?

Terrorism cannot be beaten by creating more fear. This will only encourage it. It cannot be beaten by enforcing laws upon people that create emotional torture. Terrorism exists as much in our minds as it does in flesh and blood. By creating a society that twitches at the slightest interruption, we are creating a society that serves terrorism. 

There are much more common atrocities happening on Australian soil everyday. Domestic violence is a horror that faces 1 in 5 women and children and is yet basically unheard of. Wouldn’t the massive amount of resources currently being dedicated to this apparent terror threat be better served combating this other much more prolific issue that is actually affecting Australian citizens right now?

Even if the Government wishes to combat terrorism, there are better ways to do it. Most of Australia’s terrorists that go overseas to fight in the Middle East do so because they know no better, they are disillusioned. The acts of the so called Islamic State aren’t even following Islamic law. The mass beheading of women, children and innocents goes against everything Islam stands for. By educating the Muslim youth, especially young men that are easily enticed by overseas glory, we could save ourselves and many families the horror of a terrorist attack here in Australia and overseas.

It’s not just the Government’s responsibility either. The greatest influence on anyone comes from their homes, our communities. We shouldn’t keep to ourselves. Multiculturalism is a good thing. Interfaith dialogue is extremely important. We as the people of this Earth, Muslim or otherwise have so much more to live for than murder, hatred and atrocities in the name of justice. It is not justice, nor the will of God to behead people that have committed no crime. It is not justice, nor the will of God to line women and children up and murder them. ISIS is an organisation that preys on naivety and ignorance to achieve actions of the greatest evil. We must do everything in our power to stop them.

But it is not a solution to bring terror into our homelands in the name of preventing it. Anti-terror raids do nothing but create fear. The solution lies in eradicating this fear, in denying the attempt to terrorize victory. This can only be achieved in strengthening and educating our communities; communities of all faiths and colours.

Say NO to terror.

Say YES to stronger communities.