Preamble to Terror...?

We've long been made aware that some societies and cultures see nothing amiss in stimulating children's imaginations by suffusing their minds with attitudes and impressions that other societies find atrociously childhood-destroying. Take, for example, the Palestinian Authority, currently bargaining with Israel for an end to their long destructive war of attrition, and suing for a peace that will bring a nascent state for Palestinians into existence alongside that of the Jewish State. Living thereafter in eternal peace and trust.

Sounds very neighbourly and certainly about time that the two populations began to treat one another with the respect due each, to engage in a trusting relationship that can only benefit them both for the future. And then reality rears its ugly head in a world where nothing appears to be as it should. A world where young children are exposed to a PA-sponsored television show that teaches them hatred and revenge as a way of life.

That show, Tomorrow's Pioneers, teaches, through impassioned rote and clever cartoon characters, that Israel is an illegal presence, having stolen land from the Palestinians; that Tel Aviv is Arab and requires liberation through terror action. A child is prompted to respond to the query, what is Tel Aviv? "It's our city: Tel-Rabia, but the Zionists today call it Tel Aviv, but it will stay ours, and we will return with Allah's will. We will continue the resistance."

There is a catchy little tune with children singing, "We will never recognize Israel...", and the child hostess reminding her viewers of the imperative to "liberate our homeland from the Zionist filth", and the stage is set in childhood to attain to martyrdom in response to the overwhelming cause of the Palestinian people. The map displayed on PA television demonstrates an absence of the state called Israel; only Palestine is named there.

Children are easily led and inspired to believe what they are told. Their innocence is exploited handily by those who see them as useful, expendable tools for the future. Making childhood fascination, a childhood sense of justice and that child's place in the order of things a certain indication of adult interest in prolonging and expanding upon the call upon them to dedicate to the cause.

Childhood fascination becomes the preamble to adult aspirations.

As far abroad as Canada, a University of Toronto student has posted Internet messages supporting and encouraging attacks against Canadian military forces stationed in Afghanistan. Urging jihadists, and budding terrorists to see Canadian soldiers as legitimate killing targets: "...now it is POSSIBLE AND LEGITIMATE!" wrote Salman Hossain.

And although the authorities have been alerted and are watching this would-be jihadist and terror-encourager closely, no move has been made to shut down his hateful screed on the Internet site where he contributes. We are such a tediously complacent and forgiving lot. Other Muslim students at the campus have taken steps to remove themselves from his odious remarks, although they haven't come right out in condemning them.

Sometimes, however, these terror-aspirants cannot be totally ignored. Their deadly encouragement on the Internet, their complicity in planning terror attacks, and their total commitment to jihad is too seriously suicidal for any country to tolerate. And thus it has proven finally to be for Said Namouh, who settled himself innocuously in a backwoods area northeast of Montreal.

This dedicated al-Qaeda supporter was skilled in producing battlefield and weapons instructional videos - an invaluable aid to terrorists wishing to propagate their vision of Islamist justice meted out to deserving infidels. In Trois-Rivieres, Mr. Namouh edited the Global Islamic Media Front videos threatening Western countries, with a view to inspiring world-wide terrorism.

Those videos were given prominent display on the Caliphate Voice channel, one of al-Qaeda's most pernicious propaganda groups. "With regards to security ... I don't think there is a danger. Thanks to God, there is no suspicion", he wrote to one of his many contacts. Even while his activities were being monitored and he was being followed.

Police took action, finally, to apprehend him when they became convinced he was making preparations to leave Canada for the purpose of carrying out a car bombing overseas; possibly, they theorized, in the Palestinian territories. "My great dream", he wrote in a posting, "is to become a martyr at your side".

Thus do children become convinced and ultimately, convicted terrorists.