The Choice of Peace Today, we are going to reflect upon the recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and London.

On Monday 22 May, a man entered the Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by US singer, Ariana Grande, and detonated an explosive device. 22 people were killed and many others injured. The Prime Minister, Theresa May, condemned what she described as ‘an appalling terrorist attack’ and campaigning for the general election was suspended. On Saturday 3rd June, 3 men drove across London Bridge towards the Borough area of London knocking down pedestrians in the process. They then abandoned the vehicle and proceeded to attack members of the public with large knives while enjoying a Saturday night out. Seven people are now confirmed to be dead with dozens more injured during the attack. For many people, the question that is being asked is, ‘Why?’ Why would anyone seek to cause such destruction, hurt and fear at a concert where many children would be present? Or in places with people enjoying a drink with friends and loved ones. The newspapers, news bulletins and social media are full of reports covering the attacks. Many people turn to these to help them make sense of what has happened in the hope that they can begin to answer some of the ‘why’ questions. Unfortunately, however, the ‘why’ questions are complex and difficult to answer. Immediately after attacks such as these, it is important to reflect not only on the ‘why’ questions, but also on the ‘what next’ questions. What is the correct response to such an event? What are we to do? What are we to think? What are we to feel?

By definition, terrorism is an act that is designed to make people feel terror, to feel scared. A terrorist act uses violence or force to bring this about. It may feel that we have no choice after such terrible events other than feeling afraid and worried. But we do, we always have a choice! We can choose not to allow fear and terror to define us or our responses. We can choose to work towards a society where we act with tolerance, compassion and love for others. Such a choice requires great courage. However, it is vital that we consider whether we might choose to respond in this way and how we can practically achieve this.

In November 2015, after the terrorist attacks in Paris, people of many different races, religions and backgrounds queued together to donate blood to help the victims who were wounded in the attack. This might seem like a small act, but, by coming together and chatting to others as they queued, these people showed that community was stronger than terror. The day after the Paris attacks, the Catholic Archbishop of Paris, André Vingt-Trois, prayed for ‘the grace of a firm heart, without hatred.’ In a simple way, he was calling for people to choose a path other than hatred. In doing so, he urged people to choose love, peace and tolerance.

Some messages from world leaders after the Manchester attack Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, ‘Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts.’ Australia: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted, ‘Our heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity is with the people of the United Kingdom.’ France: President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, ‘We come together in the fight against terrorism.’ Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her ‘sorrow and horror’. China: President Xi Jinping sent a telegram to the Queen, saying, ‘The Chinese people and British people are standing side by side firmly during this difficult time.’ From the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau: ‘Canadians are shocked by the news of the horrific attack in Manchester tonight. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts.’ - From the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull: ‘Our heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity is with the people of the United Kingdom.’ - From the newly elected President of France, Emmanuel Macron: ‘We come together in the fight against terrorism.’ - The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, expressed her ‘sorrow and horror’. - From the President of China, Xi Jinping: ‘The Chinese people and British people are standing side by side firmly during this difficult time.’ At a time like this, it is important that people across the world stand together and support one another. However, it is also important that we decide in our own minds what our individual reactions to these situations are.

Some messages from world leaders after the London attack Mr Macron spoke by phone with UK Prime Minister Theresa May, and said France was "more than ever at Britain's side". "I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed," Mr Trudeau said in a statement, saying Canada stood with the UK. Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his "prayers and resolute solidarity" were with the British. Two Australians were affected, he said, but that number was later increased to three. German Chancellor Angela Merkel "Today we are united across borders in horror and mourning, but also in determination. "For Germany, I reiterate that in the fight against all forms of terrorism, we are resolutely at Britain's side.“ Spain's foreign ministry said it shared "the pain of the relatives of the victims deceased in these cowardly attacks". At a time like this, it is important that people across the world stand together and support one another. However, it is also important that we decide in our own minds what our individual reactions to these situations are.

So, what does all this mean for us So, what does all this mean for us? What practical things can we choose to do as a response? How can we choose to work towards a society where we act with tolerance, compassion and love for others? Here are some practical suggestions and pointers to help us in our reflections today. We will pause after each point to give ourselves space and time to reflect and consider how we might put each point into practice. - Today, when we feel anger or hatred towards another person, let’s stop and mentally count to ten. By giving ourselves this brief space and time, we have the chance to reflect upon whether acting on our anger will help or hinder peace. We are giving ourselves space to choose how we react. What difference might that make for us?  Pause to allow time for thought. - When we wake up each morning, maybe we could get into the habit of saying a simple statement or mantra that shows our intention to work courageously towards peace, rather than hatred. For example, we could say - silently or out loud - ‘Today, I choose peace.’ What difference might that make for us? - We often fear the unknown. We may feel threatened by people who are different from us or whose way of life or culture we don’t understand. Can we commit to making a special effort to choose to speak to someone today whom we have never spoken to before? Or could we choose to find out something about a country, culture or religion that is different from our own? With knowledge comes an understanding that although humans may be different, they share much in common. What difference might this information or contact with another person make for us?

This is Naveed Yasin. A fortnight ago while on the way to work a man drove past him and wound down his window and shouted “You brown bastard! Go back to your own country, terrorist. We do not want your kind in our country. Go away!” Naveed was born in Britain, lives in Manchester and is a surgeon. Just before this verbal attack he had completed a grueling 48hr shift performing emergency operations on victims of the Manchester Arena attack. Naveed admits he had to swallow twice when these words were hurled at him. Reactions like these are just what the terrorists of these recent attacks would have wanted. They want to create a feeling of Muslims against the rest of the world. By stereotyping all Muslims as terrorists we would playing into their hands because we would seem to be giving them confirmation that it is an us and them situation. We must ensure that the division created is good versus evil not Muslim versus Christian

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U49nOBFv508 Let the students watch this advert, while watching you could ask the students to focus on all or one of the following. 1. Find signs that indicate that life has to continue as normal despite terrorist attacks (e.g. Still catch the bus, celebrations like marriage still occur...) 2. Find evidence of terrorism and civil war (e.g. Background destruction, child with bloodied face, subtitles of middle eastern terrorist attacks.) 3. Discuss the effect of the citizens marching towards the terrorist. 4. Hypothesise what the banners in Arabic say. Finally Discuss why the Muslim media community thought it appropriate and relevant to make and distribute this advert for Ramadan 2017.

S - L - M Triliteral - 3 letters for ROOTS of verbs The Arabic term “Islam” اسلام "submission” – to the will of God The Arabic word “salaam” سلام “peace" - same root as “Islam” = Peace - which is achieved through the wilful submission / surrender / obedience of one's soul to the will of Allah The Arabic term “Muslim” مسلم‎ is from the same verb for “Islam” The Arabic term “Assalamu ‘Alaikum” السلام عليكم “peace be upon you” - said when you meet a Muslim The Arabic term “Wa’alaikum Assalam” وعليكم السلام “and peace be upon you” – is the reply Discuss with the class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAxIOC8Zisc Let the students watch the video, ask them to think of discussion points which could be raised later.