Terrorism has no religion and knows no mercy. It should be condemned without the slightest rationalization or justification. 

When two suicide bombers detonated their explosive belts in the crowds in the southern Beirut suburb of Borj el-Barajne, they did not discriminate between Muslims or Christians, Shi’a or Sunnis or atheists who live in the area. The perpetually crowded street of Ain AlSikke attracts people from all walks of life. And that’s what the terrorists targeted, life itself— humanity.

At least 41 people died, but thousands more were terrorized. Lebanese children witnessed death ravaging their neighborhoods. All the dead were civilians— regular people going about their day after long work hours. 

Yet, Western media are reluctant to call the attack what it was— indiscriminate violence against unarmed innocents.

Instead, global media outlet normalized the explosions in the context of the Syrian war on Hezbollah’s intervention in the conflict. 

Reuters called Borj a “Hezbollah bastion” in its headline. 

“Explosion in southern Beirut’s Shiite suburb, stronghold of Hezbollah,” wrote Fox News. 

Even the New York Times’ headline initially said “Deadly blasts hit Hezbollah stronghold”, but the paper later changed it to “southern Beirut suburb.”

It is true that most of the targeted area’s residents are Shi’a, who support Hezbollah politically. The innocent victims are humans before anything else. Labeling civilians even after they die is divisive and hands credibility to terrorists.

The victims are not only Shi’a; they are mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, working hard to make it in the working-class neighborhood. Their humanity should trump everything else.

There is no doubt that the geopolitical setting for the violence is relevant. But leading with it takes away from the human suffering. It legitimizes and rationalizes terrorism.

U.S. foreign policy may be connected to terrorist attacks that target this country. But it would be unfathomable for media to label terrorism victims here by their religion or political affiliation.

The very same people who would be offended if terrorism against the West were presented in a historical or political frame are calling the victims of terror in Lebanon Shi’a in a Hezbollah stronghold.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Those who justify the Beirut bombings are inadvertently siding with ISIS against civilians. 

Our condolences to the victims’ families. We urge the Lebanese at home and in the diaspora to remain united in the face of this cowardly terror.