Killing of Bangladeshi imam in NYC is shocking
The killing of a Bangladeshi imam of a mosque and his assistant in the New York City last week has generated fear and scare mongering among the immigrant community of their country. Though the New York Police Department (NYPD) has already arrested a suspect, but the real motive behind the attack has not been clear so far. Meanwhile, clamour for justice and mourners displaying signs declaring ‘Muslim lives Matter', ‘We are Muslims, not terrorists' and ‘We want justice' may well be read as a symptom of rising insecurity of minority communities in a land where once people used to come for big fortunes and was known for its strong multi-cultural roots. As the Muslim community is already on the edge, if the crime is proved to be related to either a hate crime or a faith-based one, this will once again pose a potential threat to the very survival of America's multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious values. However, the prompt action of the New York City administration, particularly the NYPD has reassured the large working-class Bangladeshi community in this part of the city that justice will be delivered to them. A large section of the community feels that the two men, who were dressed in religious attire at the time of the killing, had been targeted because of their faith. Sadly, the murder of the cleric had surprised the city police and it may trigger fresh insecurity among all the imams across the US.
Why is it soIJ Why America has witnessed high rise of anti-racial killings or anti-minority killings in the recent pastIJ Is it because of a deep sense of insecurity among some sections of Americans that they are losing their home turf to the large community of immigrantsIJ The security and intelligence agencies of the country must find out the roots of such crimes so that millions of immigrants feel safe. Of course, there is a feeling of insecurity among some Americans, but it may not be the sole reason behind the sharp rise of anti-racial crimes or the growth of a sense of nativistic flavour in its politics. The perpetrators of this kind of senseless violence must not be spared and they should be meted out the harshest of the punishment as per the law of the land. Besides, it remains critical for America that the ever-increasing divides in the country needs to be addressed before it is too late. The fast falling standards of American pluralism must be examined in the light of these incidents. It would be really difficult for any single nation to reverse the flow of migration at an age of globalisation wherein we largely live in a borderless world. Hence, America must come up and stand firm definitely against hate mongers and the Islamists so that the ordinary people belonging to these communities can live peacefully and contribute to the growth of this wonderful country like before.