...And justice for all, well maybe not all
October 25th 2006 02:02
During one of many visits to my favourite book store in central Sydney, I stumbled across a title that demanded my attention. Almost five years on from the tragic and malicious murder of Wall Street Journal correspondent, Daniel Pearl, it was with morbid curiosity that I purchased this novel. If only I had known at the time of the profound after effect the events of his mans final days would leave on my memory, I may not have had the courage to read past page one. And I would be the lesser for it.
After reading “Who Killed Daniel Pearl” (written by Bernard-Henri Levy) I felt compelled to put a face to the name. I believe someone who dies in such formidable circumstances has earned this much recognition at the very least.
Daniel Pearl in the physical form struck me at first viewing, as a man who had, at one time or another, known true happiness. His effervescent smile held the memories of a man who lived for every moment he was granted. The perception I gained from his photographs made the brutality and horror of his death all the more difficult to comprehend.
While searching for the images of the living Daniel Pearl, I came across a site that is still to this day broadcasting the terrorists film of his murder. As the details of Pearl’s death were well publicised at the time, and the grotesque nature of his demise graphically described in newspaper articles around the globe, I was astonished that anyone would want to confirm the mental images that they conveyed. Even in a moment of detached curiosity I could not bring myself to view something so vile.
And that is exactly what the people responsible for Pearl’s murder set out to achieve. Fear is the most effective weapon in any war, as its message is universal. Regardless of race, colour or creed, the one thing that binds us all is human nature. It’s human nature to fear what is not understood, and for many of us, the purpose of this type of vilification will never be something we can fully grasp.
These extremists are prepared to murder and make an example of anyone with a differing opinion to their own, all in the name of religion. In all the research I have undertaken, I am still to find a single religion that condones the killing of innocent people in order to communicate a view point. By the final page of Levy’s book your left shaking your head at the utter contempt these people have for the human race, and at just how far we really are from finding a little common ground.
After reading “Who Killed Daniel Pearl” (written by Bernard-Henri Levy) I felt compelled to put a face to the name. I believe someone who dies in such formidable circumstances has earned this much recognition at the very least.
Daniel Pearl in the physical form struck me at first viewing, as a man who had, at one time or another, known true happiness. His effervescent smile held the memories of a man who lived for every moment he was granted. The perception I gained from his photographs made the brutality and horror of his death all the more difficult to comprehend.
While searching for the images of the living Daniel Pearl, I came across a site that is still to this day broadcasting the terrorists film of his murder. As the details of Pearl’s death were well publicised at the time, and the grotesque nature of his demise graphically described in newspaper articles around the globe, I was astonished that anyone would want to confirm the mental images that they conveyed. Even in a moment of detached curiosity I could not bring myself to view something so vile.
And that is exactly what the people responsible for Pearl’s murder set out to achieve. Fear is the most effective weapon in any war, as its message is universal. Regardless of race, colour or creed, the one thing that binds us all is human nature. It’s human nature to fear what is not understood, and for many of us, the purpose of this type of vilification will never be something we can fully grasp.
These extremists are prepared to murder and make an example of anyone with a differing opinion to their own, all in the name of religion. In all the research I have undertaken, I am still to find a single religion that condones the killing of innocent people in order to communicate a view point. By the final page of Levy’s book your left shaking your head at the utter contempt these people have for the human race, and at just how far we really are from finding a little common ground.
| 61 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
