Munich Train Station Attack: Jihad Has No Borders

Another Islamist attack has likely been carried out on European soil this morning. As reported, a knife-wielding man was alleged to have stabbed four people at a German train station whilst shouting “Allahu akbar” (God is greatest). One of the victims has now died, with others sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Just as reports of suicide attacks in the middle-east fail to raise an eyebrow anymore – frequent Islamist attacks on European citizens are becoming par for the course too. They’re increasing in frequency, but our willingness to be honest about its root cause is sorely lacking. As this story is unfolding, there may well be mental health issues at play that we are not currently aware of.[1. UPDATE 10 May 2016 - As indicated in a later report by The Guardian, it appears mental health and drug issues may be a factor here. Needless to say, there will often be an overlap where religious delusion is concerned. The Guardian is now reporting that earlier accounts of cries of 'Allahu Akbar' have not been verified] However, the fact that this explanation is actually an ‘if’ element speaks volumes about the situation we find ourselves in.

Apologist rhetoric for these kind of acts span a spectrum of masochism and conspiracy theory. It’s now so predictable that I don’t even need to check to be absolutely certain it has already began across news articles, comment threads, social media and TV programming worldwide.

Bodies are still warm and people are fighting for their lives, yet “we made this poor disenfranchised killer behave this way” or “he’s working for Israel” can already be heard. Or, one of my personal favourites: “if we criticise Muslims for their Islamist views, we will just create more extremists”. Well, shouldn’t we really be talking about that then?

It’s a very quaint idea to think you are defending Muslims by propagating the notion that they’ll kill you unless you’re nice to them. That’s a far lower opinion of Muslims than I’m able to subscribe to.

As obnoxious and downright wrongheaded as these excuses are, amazingly they still enjoy less controversy and scrutiny than stating the plain truth. The truth that perhaps these individuals behave the way they do because of what they believe to be true about the religion of Islam. They prove their sincerity day after day. Pointing out as much will no doubt summon thought terminating clichés such as ‘racist’ or ‘Islamophobe’ from the terminally dishonest.

Those responsible for carrying out Jihad represent a diverse collection of socio-economical backgrounds. From education, wealth, family life and ethnicity they appear to have almost nothing in common. They do all have one particular thing in common however. They adhere to a very dangerous, yet plausible interpretation of a very popular and growing religion. We can talk about this honestly and still recognise that we need not implicate Muslims as a whole.

Many who view this issue solely as one of immigration should also know that the suspect is reported to be a German national. Jihad has no borders. It exists wherever people are able to spread Islamism unchallenged. And we’re still pretending it either doesn’t exist, we deserve it or we caused it. With attitudes like this, we may as well just offer to kick our own chairs at the gallows.

Train stations, concert halls, football arenas, streets, cafes and bars. These are the new war zones. I’d rather not get used to that if it’s all the same. If Jihad can be defeated, you can be absolutely certain it has to start with talking honestly about it.

Stephen Knight is host of The #GSPodcast. You can listen to The Godless Spellchecker Podcast here, and support it by becoming a patron here.