Remembering 7/7

One year ago today, 52 people were killed by terrorist attacks in London.

Timothy Garton Ash has a very good op/ed about the different responses to terrorism between the United States and England:

On the first anniversary of the July 7 2005 bombings in London, the truth is that the United Kingdom is at least as likely as the United States to be the target of another major terrorist attack. Perhaps it is even more likely, given the alienation of parts of Britain’s Muslim community – an alienation exacerbated, though not caused, by the war in Iraq and the failure to resolve the Palestinian issue. Lord Carlile, the well-informed scrutineer of the government’s anti-terrorism legislation, says there is “a real and present threat of further terrorism acts in this country” especially because it is “extremely difficult to find self-starting jihadists in the indigenous population of the UK”. Yet that real threat does not make British politicians and commentators – with the partial exception of our outgoing prime minister – talk of war. We have a different political culture and we choose to see things differently.

Unlike many continental Europeans, most of us do not rule out war as a means of last resort. We think you sometimes have to fight to defend your way of life, but that you should fight clever, keeping a cool head, a strong grasp on reality and a sense of proportion. We’ve lived with terrorism for years, and we know you can lick it, especially if we don’t overreact and make unnecessary sacrifices of liberty in the name of security – for freedom is its own best defence. Between cheese-eating surrender monkeys and fire-eating war junkies, we look for a middle way. Americans have every cause to be proud on July 4. And on July 7, I’m rather proud to be British.

Read the whole thing.

John Esposito also weighs in, urging all of us to break the cycle of ignorance about the Muslim world:

Is there a blind hatred to the west? The poll indicates the opposite. Muslims in the 10 countries polled (Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia) said what they most admired, after technology, was the west’s political freedom. Overwhelming majorities in every country would support freedom of speech, religion and assembly if drafting a constitution. Majorities in virtually every country also felt women should have the same legal rights as men.

Those familiar with the EU were more likely to say the group of nations played a positive rather than negative role in promoting peace. However, not surprisingly they gave the US and UK, in contrast to France and Germany, unfavourable ratings, linking the US to such attributes as “ruthless and arrogant.” Muslims were also critical of their own countries, citing “extremism, radicalism, terrorism and fanaticism, lack of political freedom and political corruption”. Only 8% believed the 9/11 attacks were justified, while 35% were positive about America and felt 9/11 was not justified; 51% were “sceptical moderates”, critical of the US but not believing that 9/11 was justified.

What would improve relations with the west? Their most frequent replies were “demonstrate more understanding and respect for Islam”; help with “economic development/jobs”; and “stop interfering in our affairs”. Most wanted better relations with the west, but did not believe the US was serious about promoting real self-determination.

The conclusion? Anti-western feelings result from what we do, our policies and actions, not from our way of life. Globalisation and an increasingly multicultural west test the mettle of our values. Islamophobia is a threat to our democratic way of life. This cancer should be as unacceptable as anti-semitism. Pluralism and tolerance demand greater understanding and respect from non-Muslims and Muslims alike. The more we learn about each other, the more we will see beyond our differences to a reservoir of common concerns, values and interests.

John Freedland reminds readers that after the attacks, London carried on.

And finally, take a moment to read the tributes to those who were killed on 7/7. They’re heartbreaking, and they will make you cry. From one:

If Philip Beer was known for anything, it was for his sense of fun. If there was a party to go to or on occasion to celebrate, he would always be the first and the loudest there.

So when his family buried Mr Beer, it didn’t seem appropriate for people to wear black. Instead everyone was asked to wear something brightly coloured, a fitting reflection of his bright personality.

So, too, was the coffin – in bright pink.