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What is the motive behind such a savage action? |
A 17-year-old youth attacked a school in Stuttgart on March 11, 2009, a spree that shocked Germany. He killed 15 people - 12 students and other three who blocked his way, then he killed him self in a shootout with the police officers.
IslamOnline.net (IOL)'s European Muslims Page meant to know the reactions of the German Muslim community to this disaster, and what are their comments on such a bloody act? Does the German government discriminate between Muslims and non-Muslims' extremist acts?
Suliman Wilms
Chief Editor of Globalia Magazine, a German Muslim newspaper
Muslims in Germany, as the society of our country as a whole, are shocked and abhorred by this cruel event in school in the Southwest of our country. Nevertheless, there is an important difference in perception: While every cruel and criminal act −like "honor-killings", forced marriage or terrorist attempts− within the Muslim community will be seen as a problem for Islam and the Muslim community in total, the mainstream society never sees the need to take itself in question. Events, like the latest murderous one, are unfortunately seen as a mere technical question, i.e. one of gun control or brutal video games. While there is plenty of evident attempt to blame the "other" for every existing or imaginary evil in order to stabilize society through a common enemy, there is currently no major voice to be heard which questions the foundation of the vision of this society and modern human existence as such.
There is an invisible connection between the amok-killer, more and more prevalent,
and the suicide-terrorist. While the first one kills everything for the reason of nothing - i.e. his own hatred towards existence - the later is willing to kill everyone in order to fulfill his totalitarian vision of society. But both of them have something, beside other expects, in common that they take themselves outside of the framework of a healthy social entity. Both of them are bind together by the adoration for nihilistic violence.
Thuraya Adgham
A German Muslim wife, mother, and student
Unfortunately, "silence" is the only reaction of Muslims; they might wonder and question but only between themselves. German Muslims are also shocked and wondering what if such an accident reoccurred in our children's schools, what if a Muslim was the suspect? But all these questions are discussed secretly.
Parents, according to the media outlets, charge schools of sever pressing on students, since the educating system was changed in Germany. This new system demands either to study all day long or absolutely not to study, besides, schools don't resort to the social specialists or psychoanalysts who can talk to students and know more about their problems.
Moreover, both parents are usually working; they don’t have the sufficient time to talk to their children and mothers are always tensed from the working day, so when they came back home they can't bear more home discussions. Such a phenomena should have affected that student negatively and leaded him into committing such a crime.
From my own point of view, such an act had resulted from the whole society, not only the school or parents, but all parts −including the state itself− are responsible.
Bacem Dziri
T he Spokesman of the German Muslim Students
The first killing spree in the history of our country was experienced in 2002 Erfurt; in this massacre 17 people were killed. In America several gun rampages have taken place and the last was just one day before this new delusion in Germany.
We are all shocked and very saddened because of that massacre. What all of us here are most likely concerned with the question of motive: Why did a 17-year-old student plan a bloodbath? What responsibility does this inconspicuous boy see in his innocent fellow human beings? The boy apparently had his biggest problems with himself!
But these questions are certainly to be taken seriously if we want to prevent this from happening again. Eminently as Muslims, we face the question of what we can do for the benefit of our society.
I personally do not think that "only" economic profit, fixed TV stations, websites and computer games contribute to certain "diseases of the hearts," as we Muslims call it, but society as a whole. Narcissism, depression, envy, hatred, and aggression are consequences of a lot of adolescents. I don't want to give the stereotypical image of "the decadent western civilization" because I personally experienced during my lifetime a lot of good characteristics within the (non-Muslim) society.
But I also know very well that our society must preclude those and other "diseases of the hearts" by ethical values, morals, and motivations for voluntary self-regulation. Those treasures we can find in the ocean of Islam. The Muslims bear a particular responsibility. Beginning with the violent immigrants with a Muslim background to all people who are open to the good, no matter where it comes from. The Islamic cultures have certainly much more to offer than d?ner-kebab and Persian carpets. We Germans are a community of values and the Muslims have a lot to contribute. Howsoever, I hope and pray for Germany!
Dr. Mevliyar ER
A German writer who teaches Economics and Finance at Birmingham International College in England
Violence among the youngsters is caused by being raised up without love. These children grow up in front of their computers playing violent games. They are unable to socialize with others as they are mostly children without any siblings. A large percent of mothers and fathers usually work and the child, mainly boys, develops symptoms that cause actions such as the one caused by Tim.
For them, their own life does not matter, let that of others! I was born in Germany and know the German mothers' attitude towards their children very well. When a child cries they insist sternly not to hug or calm the baby down. They think that the baby will then get spoiled and thus will dictate to the mother whatever he/she wants by crying. In Muslim countries children are raised up with much love. They are kissed and hugged all the time. It is common that strangers give sweets to them or even hug them. In UK/Germany, I have witnessed cases where a mother had admonished the child not to talk or take sweets from strangers if he/she noticed any interest by an unknown person.
E.g. Once I observed during one of my bus journeys a sitting man who was waving at very sweet child. Mother immediately said," How many times did I tell you not to look at strangers.." I found it very rude towards the man as he could hear it too ... the man liked the child and just waved at him. I thought if this is the case then the child will never have any sympathy for others.
From your point of view, what is the motive behind such a savage action? As a German Muslim, do you think you can help in raising the awareness of the harmful side of extremism among the youth? Did you offer any kind of help to the families of victims?
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