World must stand united against terror

Sunday’s nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida -- the deadliest attack on American soil since the September 11 attacks nearly 15 years ago -- was an attack on us all.

Yet again, we are reminded that we are living in an age of terror. Bangladesh has recently seen an onslaught of murders and attacks committed in the name of religion. The recent murders of academics, writers, bloggers, and magazine editors have threatened the very fabric of life and liberty in the country.

Now, a devastating attack on United States soil reminds us that terror knows no borders, and the fight against terror is global. The real enemy is not a particular region or nation, but an ideology of extremism and hate -- the Orlando shooter was American-born.

Stand behind the victims of the horrific bloodbath in Orlando. We cannot afford to be ruled by fear and hatred

While details of the shooter’s ties are still vague, he did make a phone call shortly before the attack to declare his allegiance to IS. Subsequently, IS sympathisers have taken to the internet to praise the attack in pro-IS forums.

We must all ask hard questions about why these attacks have been taking place and how we can stop them. Terrorism is a hidden and insidious threat, and this threat has become the new normal.

Let us stand behind the victims of the horrific bloodbath in Orlando if we value the future of the world. We cannot afford to be ruled by fear and hatred.