Monday, 22 May 2017 at approximately 10.30pm, thousands of people (many of which were young children) were leaving the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena. As some parents and guardians waited to meet children and friends, Salmon Avedi detonated a suicide bombing device killing 22 men, women and children and injuring around 100 others, many with life changing injuries. This atrocity occurred on the fourth anniversary of the murder of Private Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London. This killing left mass devastation, but more than anything, this atrocity affected many as it callously targeted children and young people, with the majority of Grande’s fan base being at the younger age spectrum. The victims ranged from an 8-year-old girl, reported to be the youngest victim, an off duty Police Officer, parents coming to collect children and other young people.
The hours after the attack, saw families frantically searching for loved ones who had not made contact, with photos of the missing, asking people to look out for them and asking them to get in touch. One mother interviewed live on TV, desperately seeking her daughter, only to confirm the next day that she had been killed as a result of the blast. It’s hard for anyone to fail to be moved by these happenings. The question that is difficult to answer, is why? This type of atrocity seems to be an implausible or irrational act where so many innocent lives are taken as a means of protest or demonstration in the name of religion.
What compounds the tragedy is the father of the perpetrator was allegedly in denial as to his son’s involvement with any extremist organisation or even the killing of innocent lives.
Once again, Britain has been left traumatised and in a state of panic and concern, and faced with uncertainty and fear caused by this harrowing event. There’s a deeper psychological, theological and political challenge that surrounds this particular event of mass murder and as to why young men find it necessary to respond in such a violent way in the name of Islam. It would be our natural response to seek retribution but this does not bring the desired outcome.
1 Peter 3:9 instructs us ~ “do not repay evil with evil”
Edmund Burke says, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
Living in today’s society, we are required to do something: to be extra vigilant, to report any strange behaviour or items but most of all, to pray for those around us and those who lead us.