‘Horrendous and despicable crime’




As a born Spaniard and specially and most importantly, as a human being, I could not hide my anger, disbelief, physical and mental emotions after watching the horrific massacre in Barcelona this past Thursday. I covered my eyes and loudly screamed NO, NO, NO!!

I could hardly avoid tears sliding down my cheeks. Why…? I asked loudly and to no one in particular. Evidently, the intention of these terrorists is not just to spray panic and to hurt a city and country but rather, spread widely this terror to many others. They have done it in Berlin, Paris, London, Brussels, Nice, Stockholm, etc. To those cities we must now include Barcelona, a cosmopolitan, sophisticated, and very well known for her history, and attraction to the world traveler and tourism industry. The purpose and intention of these murderers and terrorists undoubtedly inspired and directed by ISIS, purposely done to inflict the mayor number of casualties and overall chaos but also, to create international attention, to spread fear and panic. Unfortunately, they are accomplishing their goal. No doubt that these acts of unimaginable barbarism will remain a national drama for quite a long time before the victims can feel secure, comfortable, supported, and at home. On the other hand, the terrorists will continue to be what they already are with their loss of humanity, love, respect, compassion and an ever increasing hate and abomination. Religious fanaticism know no borders. The ‘civilized’ world must unite for the common cause and purpose of destroying these terrorists. Otherwise, these criminal acts will continue and escalate profusely. Also, and regret to say it, we may be their next target and victims. ISIS or ISIL must be eradicated from the surface of the Earth before it is too late! This is, indeed, the clash of civilizations. I also read and heard that Pro-Islamic State accounts on the Telegram messaging service, shared news of the attack with one channel saying: “Expansion of the Caliphate’ and posting a video of the scene with a message in Arabic saying: ‘Terror is filling the heart of the Crusader in the land of Andalusia’. I guess that they were referring to the Crusaders sent to the Middle East to take and safeguard the shrine of the Saint Sepulcher. Andalusia (Andalucia in Spanish) was the last enclave in Moorish-Islamist possession known as the Kingdom of Granada until its conquer and surrender to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand in 1492. It marked the end of the Muslim occupation in Europe and which lasted six centuries. Perhaps ISIS may be thinking in conquering the entire world now.

May the Lord be merciful !

Antonio Moreno



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