BY JARI QUDRAT

Let’s play Heads Up!

Distroscale

Guess the word: It’s been on the rise as of late down south of the border. It causes havoc, fear and imbalance in society. And most worryingly, it puts innocent lives in danger and even takes away the lives of some.

I’m speaking about nationalism, political radicalization and a word I thought I’d never need after sociology class — stochastic terrorism.

Simply put stochastic terrorism is the use of mass communication to incite lone wolves to carry out unpredictable acts of violence. Precisely the case of what’s happening in the United States of America under Presidency of Donald Trump, which has led to the creation of proudly inspired white nationalists.

This week Robert Bowers, 46, carried out a vicious attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, during Shabbat services, taking away the lives of 11 innocent worshipers and injuring more, after the shooter proclaimed anti-Semitic slurs such as ‘All Jews must die.’

Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

AFP / Getty Images

The rise of lone wolf hate crimes following divisive politics in Canada has never really been an issue. However, in the United States it is arguably the gravest challenge they face.

Campaigning and following through on ideas such as separating migrant children from their parents, proposed travel bans, and slashing the refugee cap to its lowest level in over 30 years (45,000), has led to dangerous rippling effects.

As I analyzed Robert Bowers’ latest online activity, it was about these exact things. In fact, exactly a month ago Robert Bowers posted on Facebook, a photo of Jews welcoming mostly Muslim refugees, where he mentioned, ‘It’s the filthy Jews bringing the filthy Muslims into the country,’ following which he outrageously remarked, ‘first we need to stop the Jews, and then worry about Muslims next.’

This rhetoric is a lot in line with building walls to keep immigrants out of the US, reducing immigration counts, and imposing travel bans.

Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP/Getty Images

This brings me to America’s biggest problem: domestic terrorism.

In 2018 alone, America had 294 mass shootings, more than 12,000 deaths from firearm related violence, and over 20,000 injured by gun violence.

Angry homegrown men are latching on to an ideology of hate giving them the courage to carry out reprehensible acts of violence. This is the real face of terrorism — terrorism that is uncertain and springs into action when nobody has a clue.

If these attacks continue and anti-progressive rhetoric is proliferated by leaders, the country will be faced with the inevitable possibility of internal strife and civil chaos. His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is currently visiting the United States.

Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

In a recent interview he mentioned, that if President Donald Trump continues his rhetoric and implements some of his policies, “I fear then there may be a big civil war.”

To combat the rise of hate crimes, America needs to first educate the masses on the importance of accepting different political and religious stripes.

Canada has always been the ‘little country up North’, but it’s time America learns from our success. In comparison to the States, in 2018 Canada had 3 mass casualties (albeit 3 too many), 17 deaths, and a few injuries.

These low numbers are far and large due to Canada’s gun laws, but also our welcoming nature, acceptance, and multi-culturalism.

America’s lack of gun control and rise of divisive hate-fueled politics has created a toxic mix of ideas that foster a dangerous environment of internal strife and violence. And this needs to stop.

Jari Qudrat is on the Executive Committee of Muslim Writers of Canada. He can be reached via email at jari.qudrat@live.com