By Yasemin Dobra-Manco

Istanbul-Turkish Daily News

Published July 12, 2005

   Painful memories resurfaced in Istanbul as comparisons were made between the bombings of British interests in Istanbul in November 2003 and the London bombings which last week ripped through three underground trains and a crowded bus, killing more than 50 people and wounding over 700.

   TDN discussed details of the horrific scene that resulted after a truck bomb that targeted the British Consulate in Istanbul in 2003 killed the British consul general, consulate employees, and many Turkish people. The streets and area surrounding the consulate were devastated. Another truck bomb planned by Muslim militants the same day targeted the offices of the HSBC bank in Istanbul (the attacks coincided with the visit of President George W. Bush to Britain). The two attacks came five days after two similar deadly coordinated attacks against two Jewish synagogues. The series of bombs killed a total of 63 people and wounded hundreds. In this photo taken from the Istanbul Photography Center by Volkan Gormus the day after the London train and bus bombings, Turks can be seen praying just a short distance away from where the bomb hit the British consulate in 2003.

   The London blasts also reopened Spain’s train bomb wounds. The near-simultaneous bomb attacks in Madrid killed 192 people and wounded over 1,400 just before Spain’s general elections. The Madrid bombs were claimed by a Muslim militant group as punishment for Spain's then involvement in the war in Iraq. Prime Minister Zapatero later withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq, where Britain is Washington's staunchest ally. Spain for decades had already been a victim of deadly acts of terror linked to ETA’s armed struggle for independence.

   Recently, Turkish trains have also been targeted by a terrorist group known as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The explosions derailed trains, killing 6 people on board. A second train bringing help was also bombed. Another bomb was reportedly found on the railway line near the first explosion.

   Over the years Turkey has alerted allies and world leaders to the importance of formulating long-term strategies for a common worldwide struggle to counter terrorism. Since Turkey is a nation that has suffered for decades from PKK terrorist attacks, and because it is still a victim of terrorist activity fuelled by the instability in northern Iraq, Turkey’s experience in fighting terrorism is invaluable.

   Regarding international terrorist attacks, opinions in Turkey and throughout the world vary on the underlying causes. Without knowing the motives and identifying the group behind the London bombings, combating terrorism is more difficult. Furthermore, while people around the world condemn terrorism and are engaged in a fight against it, there is no agreement on its definition.

   As Prime Minister Blair recently stressed security measures alone are not enough to protect citizens, and there must be a drive to create a fairer, more just world, with peace fostered in the Middle East.

   Since September 11 and the increased number of terrorist attacks around the world, Muslims have been condemning acts of terror and have expressed hope that greater international cooperation will promote understanding in order to combat hatred and the root causes of terrorism. Some analysts believe that there is an urgent need to tackle poverty and the lack of democracy in many countries. Politicians are calling on their leaders to rethink foreign policies. Muslims and non-Muslims are also increasingly speaking out against the killing of innocent people due to conflicts and occupation in the Middle East. Tactics and methods that might be giving rise to more acts of terrorism are also being reviewed. But the question remains: are the recent attacks related to the situation in the Middle East and Iraq?

   Meanwhile, Muslim communities in the West are encouraging Western governments to reach-out at a time when many Muslims are reluctant to speak up due to fears of being misunderstood and facing a backlash. Many countries, such as France, are also trying to devise new means of promoting understanding and common values. However, initiatives and effective communication are complicated by a lack of political will and because Islamic societies and communities in the West are not well-organized or united. Some Muslims are torn over questions of assimilation versus cultural identity, while some communities are also fractured along generational and ideological lines.

   Spain for instance has set an example by calling for “an alliance of civilizations,” while recognizing the contributions Islamic civilization has made to Spanish history and culture. Spain has also reached back into its history to show that Islam and the West can co-exist without conflict, arguing that they did so successfully in Spain between the 8th and the 15th centuries when there was no separation between East and West, nor between Muslim, Christian and Jew. Turkey could work closely with Spain in building a bridge between Europe, the West, and Islamic world, while Turkish lobbies could help strengthen ties with Spanish speaking countries and Hispanic/Latino communities in America and Europe.

      Like most of Europe, Spain is struggling with ways to accommodate its fast-growing Muslim community, while monitoring those who might turn to radical violence. After his election three days after the Madrid bombings, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero took on the role of reconciling the West with Islam. Last year in a speech he gave to the United Nations General Assembly, Zapatero advocated an "alliance of civilizations" between Islam and the West to prevent escalating conflict. The prime minister's government is seeking to reach out to Islamic organizations in an attempt to integrate Muslims into mainstream society as a way to prevent marginalization, discrimination, radicalization and reduce the alienation that feeds extremism and violence. Spanish officials have stressed that police measures alone cannot solve these problems.

   The proposal to set up a U.N.-sponsored body to "deepen the political, cultural and educational" contacts between Islam and the West was well received by Arab delegates and Westerners alike. The proposal could be undertaken under the auspices of the United Nations where both cultures are represented. According to United Press International, some officials attending the assembly said the GA had been hoping that something would surface that went beyond the simplistic "we must fight terrorism" message of U.S. President George W. Bush, who also addressed the General Assembly. Observers also feel that the U.S. public diplomacy effort in the Arab world is widely judged to have had no success in combating the negative image of America and the West. In contrast, the Spanish proposal was seen as a two-way effort aimed at widening the West's understanding of Islam as well as the other way around. At a time when there is an urgent need to act on new initiatives, the Spanish proposal could start with a high-level study by a U.N. advisory panel of Western and Islamic scholars, historians, and other prominent figures. 

   It is hoped that despite the tragic loss of life, whether in London, Istanbul, Madrid, or elsewhere in terrorist attacks, the attacks in Britain will not lead to conflict or further violence in London (whose population is 10% Muslim). Despite the 2003 terrorist attacks in Istanbul, the city remains an example of a cosmopolitan city built upon a historic melting pot of ethnic groups who have lived in harmony for centuries. At a time of great confusion and tragedy it should be remembered that the enemy is not Islam--which in Arabic means “peace.” As British authorities try to provide more security and prevent further terrorist attacks, care should be taken not to allow terrorism to create more divisions, while a greater effort is made to communicate, combat fears, and help heal wounds.

Istanbul-Turkish Daily News

Published July 12, 2005