As the world watched the unfolding horror of the hostage crisis in Sydney, many points emerged about how history should treat the attack.
Labelling Man Haron Monis as a “terrorist” implies the gunman was part of an organised cell. The reality was quite different. And, while the notion of the “lone wolf” who is self-radicalised has long been discussed in counter-terrorism circles, Monis was far removed from a typical militant. He was a grievous criminal who had been charged with a string of sexual and violent offences.
There is no history of Monis having been involved with the types of Sunni Islamism that would be considered “gateways” to ISIL’s toxic ideology. That fact leaves the “conveyor-belt” theory – in which the radicalised individual proceeds from one type of extremism to another – inapplicable in this case. That is not surprising. Counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation specialists have been saying for years that the “conveyor-belt” theory leaves much to be desired.
Continued investigation into how individuals can be pushed into extremism remains important. The safety of all of us depends on looking at the evidence very closely, and relying on as little speculation as possible.
Was Shami Witness, a prominent Indian pro-ISIL propagandist who was arrested this week, an example of a “conveyor-belt” extremist? No official information suggests he was. What does seem clear though, was that he became radicalised more quickly by the material he accessed online. The amount of radicalisation that happens through the internet is still not properly understood.
But the past few days have not all been grim news. In the midst of this tragedy in Sydney, two positive themes emerged.
The first was the way in which the Australian media responded to the crisis in a calm and collected way, although there were a few isolated examples of sensationalism on show, particularly in the first moments of the siege.
Secondly, and perhaps most encouraging of all, was the way in which Australian society reacted. Muslim Australians suffered along with everyone else – and no doubt felt another type of pain by seeing the name of their religion being used to justify such an atrocity.
But Australians didn’t force them into the position where Muslims had to say sorry for the actions of this deranged lone wolf.
On the contrary, a social media campaign using the hashtag #Illridewithyou” ensured that the wedge Monis wanted to be placed between Australians failed to materialise. It is not clear this would be the case in every western country today – but it is something for all of us to remember.
Last but not least is the lesson we can all take from the astonishing sacrifice that the café manager exhibited. Tori Johnson died from a shot delivered by Monis, but only after he attempted to free his fellow hostages. The bravery of his spirit should stand as a lasting testament.
There will continue to be questions raised around how Monis was able to operate so freely in Australian society given his track record. And, indeed, how he was still able to acquire a firearm. There will also be those who will ask why was he not under closer surveillance.
These are legitimate questions that deserve answers. But these answers will hopefully lead Australians into a place where they recognise they need to take a wide view in tackling radicalisation and violent extremism. Perhaps the world at large can also learn from their experience, without having to suffer the same deadly consequences.
Dr HA Hellyer is an associate fellow of the Royal United Services Institute in London, and the Centre for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC
On Twitter: @hahellyer
The biog
Name: Marie Byrne
Nationality: Irish
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption
Book: Seagull by Jonathan Livingston
Life lesson: A person is not old until regret takes the place of their dreams
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
The biog
Hometown: Cairo
Age: 37
Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror
Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing
Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Superior, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap Dh 185,000 2,000m
Winner: Tried And True, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Maiden Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Roy Orbison, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.15pm
Handicap Dh 190,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
8.50pm
Handicap Dh 175,000 1,600m
Winner: Welford, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap Dh 175,000 1,200m
Winner: Lavaspin, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
10pm: Handicap Dh 165,000 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Sandeep Jadhav
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
What is tokenisation?
Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
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