Don’t panic! This city of Turkey has not been invaded by another country. Rather it came under attack by Islamic State militants. At least 36 people were killed and 147 were injured when terrorists armed with bombs and assault rifles opened fire and detonated explosives at Ataturk airport. How could we put a stop to this indiscriminate killings of people who may have caused no offence or harm to these suicide bombers? In recent months, two attacks in Paris were followed by the attack in Brussels. Then there was the outrage in Orlando.
Having been to Marmaris in Turkey for a holiday, I can say that the Turks are the most friendly and hospitable people. The country boasts of a range of beautiful places, not to mention the while rockey paths of Pamukale or the rejuvanating and healing mud baths, or the hamams and a swim in Cleopatra’s pool! These are my fond memories of a beautiful country. Since the attacks at Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt or the coup in Tunisia, people have stopped using these places as holiday destinations. I sincerely hope that this recent attack in Istanbul will not stop people from holidaying there. There must be a way of stopping such killings from happening again and again. How can we make the world a safer place for us, our children and the posterity to live in? The inequality between the haves and have-nots must be the culprit and needs to be tackled.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
