Molenbeek
The world is awash with terrorism. I wonder how it feels to be branded a mastermind? Opening the page on the latest News I read there is a hunt out for the ‘Mastermind’ in terrorism. In the past a mastermind was someone who won TV quizzes. An answer for all questions, no matter how obscure the subject. In England there is group called ‘The Eggheads”, branded the ‘most formidable squiz masters’. It is amazing how much of facts including trivia seems to be able to get stored in people’s minds. The retentive memories play a role there. Of course elimination or deduction of other fact given in a choice of options is often helpful in getting the right answer. I often guess totally wrong which proves I have a lot to learn about pop music and names of 18th century Earls of Warwick.
But the terrorists was again up front this morning. The brother of one was featured on TV imploring his brother to give himself up.
It seems that the brothers grew up in a suburb of Brussels named ‘Molenbeek’ which is Dutch for ‘Mill- Brook (creek). No doubt in earlier times it would have featured a small river flowing in between the Belgian country side.
This from Wiki;
“The name Molenbeek comes from two Dutch words: molen, meaning “mill”, and beek, meaning “brook”. Although first applied to the brook that ran through the village, the name eventually came to be used to designate the village itself around the year 985. In the early Middle Ages, Molenbeek was known for its miraculous well of Saint Gertrude, which attracted thousands of pilgrims.
The village was made part of Brussels in the 13th century. As a result, Molenbeek lost many of its lands to its more powerful neighbour. In addition, its main church was dismantled in 1578, leading to further decline. The town’s character remained mostly rural until the 18th century.”
It is now a neglected and poor suburb of Brussels and many of the people there are from a middle Eastern background. Most of them law abiding and a ‘thriving and convivial community’ as someone living there explained in a TV interview. At the same time the area is known for being the hub of jihadist youth ripe for radicalisation. If ever there was a time for calm and reflection was needed, it is now. Bombing even more in Syria and Iraq does not help when the attacks are carried out by local born and bred people. They seem to be attracted to go into Syria and learn their evil trade before going back and install fear into millions
The anti Islam rhetoric as expressed by the likes of Pauline Hanson in Australia or Geert Wilders in Holland, Jean-Marie Le Pen in France, is exactly what the Is mob wants to hear, giving the excuse to keep on killing all around the world. Their aim is to foment anti-Islam hatred. We might try not to give them those encouragements.
It seems almost beyond solving but hatred is not the answer.
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