Christians in Sri Lanka. Muslims in New Zealand. Jews in Pittsburgh, and now in California too. Is there a more cowardly way to unjustly take a life than to take one while it is bowed in prayer?

The cowards who attack the innocent are not "terrorists", they are scum.

One atrocity after another. So many that some commentators increasingly appear immune to the suffering of the victims and their families. Too often, while the walls are still dripping with the blood of the innocents, too many are too eager to point the finger of blame. Too many want their own prejudices to be justified; their own hate realised.  And they incite their readers the same way.


Depending on their world view, it’s always; white supremacists, fascists; the imperialist Americans, British, Israelis; the Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Muslims.  Always, there are a people to blame - not just the individuals carrying out the crimes - the entire people; the race, the religion, the nation.

 We all have to stand up and defend each other from such venom. Hate groups on all sides are surging. Each has a symbiotic relationship with the other; feeding off each other's hateful rhetoric and vile acts to further their own narrative.

For them, the atrocity itself is secondary.

Outspoken Katie Hopkins asked why New Zealand PM Jacinda Arden didn't hug the Christian victims of the Sri Lanka atrocity, like she did the Muslim victims of the Christchurch attacks. Hopkins showed no interest in how the actual PM of Sri Lanka handled it. It wasn't just a bizarre comment, it was designed to incite.


The reaction to the atrocity is now an indicator of which "side" you are really on. How strong was your condemnation? Flags flying at half mast? The Eiffel tower or Burj Khalifa lit up in sympathy? Did some two-bit celebrity or some unknown change their social media profile pic in support?

Whatever it is, it's never enough.

My heart pains each time innocent lives are lost.  It's easy - its human - to condemn the cowards. But we must also challenge the narrative that leads them to target innocents; and the narrative that then feeds off of it. It's a cycle that must be broken.

And so, it would be remiss of me not to tackle the painful narrative following the Sri Lanka attacks; that Muslims are allowed to kill Christians and destroy their churches.


These are excerpts from the "Ashtiname" - the "Covenant of the Prophet Muhammad to the Christians". It is addressed to Muslims;

“Whoever disobeys (the Oath) will be considered a transgressor. He will be regarded as one who has rejected the authority of God, and despised Islam.

Wherever Christians gather; a mountain, valley, church, we (Muslims) shall defend and protect them and their properties, for they are under my protection.

  I shall exempt them from that which may disturb them. They must not be offended, or disturbed, or coerced or compelled. Their judges should not be removed... nor disturbed in exercising their religion. No one is allowed to attack or destroy or spoil any of their churches, or houses of worship, or take anything from them.

 Wherever (Christians) may be; sea or land, East or West, North or South, they are under my protection and my  safety, from all things which they abhor.

Do not dispute or argue with them...

Should any Christian woman be married to a Muslim, it must be with her consent;  she must not be prevented from visiting her church for prayer. Their churches must be honoured. Do not prevent them from building them or repairing them.

They must not be forced to fight wars - the Muslims must fight for them, protect them and defend them against others. It is a duty upon every Muslim not to disobey this oath until the Day of Resurrection”.

The entire document is online.