Je suis Paris, an ideological war.

Like many of us in the Western world I was shocked and appalled at the brazen attacks in Paris last week. The people targeted were my folk, young bourgeoisie with the world ahead of them and enjoying the freedoms which we should all be entitled to. The attacks were intended to create global fear; this is where we must stop and think. Fear is a powerful tool, but even more powerful is defiance. If we are to have any success in defeating ISIS we need to be clear headed and confident in our cause. The problem is not a simple issue of terror and violence, this is an ideological war. In which case the solution is not in sending troops into another lengthy and unpopular war, but rather to stand up to ISIS on an idealogical front with rationality in mind. No sooner than we bomb an ISIS target does another cell pop up elsewhere. Military intervention in terms of boots on the ground will only serve to validate ISIS as a credible organisation worthy of attention. Because essentially, ISIS are a bunch of well organised, mass indoctrinated religious zealots without a leg to stand on when you remove their weapons. They are not representative of Islsm or any other religion, but a crazed collection of outcasts who have been indoctrinated into their beliefs through social media. If we are talking about boots on the ground, those boots need to be firmly planted in Western countries battling internal radicalisation. Without a constant supply of converts, ISIS will be heavily weakened by air strikes. If we can stop the flow of patriots converting to their ideology, we have a chance of ending this war. In real terms this means education, community integration, rehabilitation for returning fighters and most of all, a sense of overwhelming solidarity between Muslims and non-Muslims throughout the world. If we can integrate Islam into our culture, as we have with Hinduism and others, young people will be less likely to feel alienated and turn to radical ideology. Islam is a religion of peace, so educate yourselves, make friends with a Muslim and start to fight this frightening ideology on a small scale in your own community. Solidarity and fraternity will be the only way to defeat an already fractured terrorist regime. Stand up for what you believe in, be free and don’t let a bunch of militants change your way of life. Embrace the true meaning of Islam and reject all radical views. Hold strong to your values and we might have a chance. It starts with you.