Virginia Tech and Anizah Othman, the world we're living in

I could not recall knowing Ustazah Anizah during my campus years although we were in the same university (and she's about my age). But my heartiest condolence goes to her family and friends. In a noble quest of educating the society, in a remote area where most young teachers and government officers would like to avoid, this tragedy would be another dark memory not only for those related to the victim but for all of us. When such stories became public through the news, the world - where's sanity and senses live - has never failed to respond with utmost concern and sympathy.

When the 23-year old student of Virginia Tech gunned down 32 of his fellow mates and staffs what did he have in mind? What would possibly trigger such rage ending with the boy shooting himself? I wonder. The moment the news of the killings reached his parents, family and friends what do they think about? Did sadness and questions overwhelmed them and made the thoughts unknown and unjustified? I wonder. And I wonder how those related to the victims feel when such precious lives can't be brought back though the world's empathy didn't fail to declare their sympathy.

And again, as a parent I wonder how worried one could be of their offsprings and loved ones when the world has been composing such horrifying histories. Both Anizah and Virginia Tech had different stories and background but shared the same feelings and concerns from the public. I can't imagine a father sending her teenage child to school in the morning only to comprehend the fact that later in the afternoon he or she had been murdered by a deviant colleague who has been present and around all the while. It won't be easy for a mother to accept the reality that her beloved child has been killed on the way to her friend's house when she's been expecting a ritual call, assuring everything's fine and well. You observe your child daily and you loved them ever since you knew they exist only to believe that they left you forever in the most impossible manner that you could think of. I pray that Allah shall give us patience and strength in enduring the loss of our loved ones, always.

Discussing such issues, I'm wondering about the future of our children and generation. What will it be? Young people are indulged in deadly, massive killings. Weapons are being traded on the streets. Policemen 'permitting' a public institution to continue its activities when a killer is walking throughout its amenities. An educated woman being strangled to death with reasons and exact account of the tragedy remains a mystery. People crossing the boundaries of sanity and humanity.

The public might forget these stories in a month or two unless another hit the news wal'iyazubillah. But should we, parents and people who claimed empathy towards the good of the community stay in the state of negligence and forgetfulness of our duty to help the society heal, to promote healthy ideas and means in handling such issues that triggered loads of data and analysis from experts and authorities. What could we do, should we do?

Think! Because it starts from you!

In Malaysia or Virginia, we feel.
Let's think and let's act, let us all heal!

Allahumma ... guide us and protect us from such calamity.