Phobia Rising

Passengers become a mob

Above is a disturbing article in the Independent today. Islamaphobia is already on the rise in the UK as the government fails to communicate the difference between militant terrorism and matters of race or faith. The recent alleged terror plot involving airlines has just added more fuel to the paranoia, as this incident shows. The irony is that if such distrust becomes commonplace, it will serve as a mass diversion from the real danger. In that scenario, the terror merchants will thrive - lost to public view like "a needle in a haystack".

Far better that airline passengers and, indeed, the public at large, discard their ethnic and racial stereotyping and start to communicate freely with those around them. Within that communication, transcending the barriers of predjudice, we will better perceive the clues toward isolating the menace in our midst.

Militant extremes are still a minority in our society, but its advocates are growing. The all-too-human "copycat" genes mean its legion of subscribers will grow unless a better example can be set by the rest of us. Disenfranchising and isolating the fraternities in which the seed of dissent exists is simply inviting it to grow - independently motivated and increasly beyond influence.

Prince Charles has said that when he becomes King, he would want to be considered as "head of faiths" rather than the state-approved church. His power is limited, but it is a change of emphasis that those involved in everyday government would do well to consider. After all, war, even civil war, rarely comes about without extremes and bias on both sides.

Later.