THE recent attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, that claimed the lives of 50 people, including one young Malaysian, and left many, including two Malaysians injured, are heinous and cruel.
It can be categorised as a lone wolf attack — an attack carried out by an individual who is motivated by certain ideologies. The individual has no affiliation to any group. It is the biggest threat to nations and poses a great challenge to law enforcement.
Among the steps that should be taken to prevent such acts of violence are:
STRICT firearms laws: Every country should enact laws. Gun laws in New Zealand are comparatively lax and this is believed to be a reason behind the attacks.
New Zealand has one of the highest rate of gun ownership in the world and civilians are able to legally obtain semi-automatic firearms easily. Although the laws require gun owners to apply for a licence, which is given at the discretion of the police, not all individual weapons are required to be registered.
Once a licence has been issued, gun owners can own as many guns as they want.
Due to the absence of an official registry for firearms, it is possible to modify lower-grade firearms into deadly military style semi-automatic firearms, which are difficult to obtain.
Also, the minimum age to own a gun in New Zealand is 16, which many may argue to be too young. After the attacks last week, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a revamp of gun laws;
REGULAR monitoring of online radical sites: Technological revolution and the Internet have brought about challenges and disadvantages along with benefits. One of them is the rise of online radical sites.
The ease with which information is obtained and disseminated online means that almost anybody can get access to the sites. In fact, most lone wolf attackers have been radicalised online through the Internet.
The gunman responsible for the Christchurch attacks was said to be influenced by far-right extremist and neo-Nazi ideologies and a member of far-right extremist messaging sites. Therefore, law enforcement agencies must work together with cybersecurity agencies and social media agencies such as Facebook and Twitter; and,
RAISING awareness: Education and awareness are important to spread the message of peace, love, harmony and unity among the people.
Children should be taught from young to embrace religious and racial diversity and the importance of embracing a culture of love and peace.
Parents should take proactive measures and set good examples to their children as learning starts at home.
Violence has never been the answer to conflicts. Race and religion are meant to be instruments of unity and not drivers of division. We, regardless of race or religion, must stand together in solidarity and work towards a world of peace and harmony.
RUEBEN DASS
Petaling Jaya, Selangor