The BBC reports on the fear of the “true” victims of the Madrid attack – the Muslims of Spain.
Exactly who was behind the Madrid train bombings is still not certain but three of the five being questioned are Moroccan, one of whom is reported to be linked to attacks in Casablanca last year.
There is a large Moroccan immigrant community in Spain and many fear reprisals against their families, businesses and places of worship.
Islamic leaders in Spain were quick to denounce the 11 March Madrid attacks, even though the finger of blame was initially pointed at Basque separatists Eta.
At least eight Muslims were among the 200 people killed and more than 40 among the hundreds of injured.
But talk of al-Qaeda links has again muddied the perception of Islam and made ordinary Muslims feel insecure in the land they have happily made their home.
While I do sympathize with the average Muslim who deplores terrorism, I think that a more appropriate article would have focused on the fear and insecurity of all ordinary Spaniards affected by the atrocity. Especially while Spain continues to bury her dead.
Meanwhile, the Beeb are doing their part for world peace – *cough* – by forcing an Israeli woman and an Egyptian woman to exchange their views via e-mail. The Egyptian woman so far has the money quote:
We have to face the fact that yes we have a peace treaty, but we lack peace.
This should be interesting.
