Martyr or Mercenary?

Vengeance is mine screamed Pakistan Taliban leaders exhorting their followers to mount attacks on Indian targets anywhere in the world. They want to avenge the execution of the terrorist Ajmal Kasab whose team senselessly murdered and maimed 80 people in Mumbai on 26/11. Meanwhile in Islamabad a suicide bomb attack killed 23 people and maimed 67 others when a Shia Muslim pro cession was mourning Husain the Martyr of Karbala. Paradoxically in Islam the Shia, Sunni and fundamentalists kill each other in sectarian violence. Internecine sibling rivalry that pits brother against brother from biblical times. As the famous poetess Sarojini Naidu wrote “Black robed – bare footed and bare chested – with dim eyes that rain”. Wild tears and memory of thy woeful plight. The votaries mourn and self flagellate themselves through the tragic night / crying to thee Husain – Ya - Hussain…………… The Tehreek – I Taliban has claimed responsibility for bomb blasts and also targeted Malala for her relentless objection to the repressive interpretation of Islam. Rather than religious fanaticism, it is poverty that drives young men to become jihadists and suicide bombers. Typical terrorist belongs to a large family with meager means and several siblings. Religion is a virus that indoctrinates these young minds with all kinds of infectious memes that thrive in spite of being false, such as being Allah’s message is to kill infidels and enter heaven as Shaheed. These are backed by admonitions to have faith in Allah and not doubt his instructions but blindly follow all untestable but ferocious commands or face punishment. The gullibility and naiveté of the majority followers of Islam despite rational minds never ceases to amaze me. Understanding of truth is always conditioned by religion. So no one is a mercenary as they go on killing innocents - everyone is a martyr. Tell it to the Marines. –Vinay-