Citizens from all over the world had been entering the airport in Istanbul on the warm summer night of Tuesday, June 28, 2016. Another date for another attack where we sit and watch the casualty number rise by the hour and the story unfold. According to CNN, as of June 29, 2016, there have been 41 innocent people killed and another 239 injured in the terror attack at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.
Keep in mind, the Ataturk Airport is the 11th busiest airport in the entire world and one of the most secure. However, that did not stop three suicide bombers from running into the airport opening fire and detonating their bombs even after being shot by police officers.
Although ISIS hasn't claimed responsibility for this attack just yet, all fingers and signs point directly to this terror group. ISIS attacks have been conducted by terrorists who call themselves Muslims. These "Muslims" have been killing in the name of Allah. Yet, not in ANY religion does it state to kill, especially Islam. Not only that, but they've been killing other Muslims and running attacks like this one in Muslim countries during the holiest month of Islam; Ramadan. Considering these facts, it's ridiculous that we are still asked if ISIS represents Islam when Muslims are one of the largest groups of victims targeted by ISIS.
Turkey is the only country in the world that lays on two continents; Europe and Asia. Where this split happens is in the metropolitan and historic city of Istanbul. There has been an ongoing controversy of Turkey being a middle-eastern country or a European country. The country is comprised of much diversity ranging from city to city and region to region. Remember, Istanbul is located at the very North of Turkey and Syria, and the very southern border. Just West of Turkey is Europe, only hours away from Greece, and to its very East are war-torn countries like Iraq and Iran.
After seeing videos, reading articles, and viewing photos of the destruction my heart aches more and more each day. I come from Turkish descent on my mother's side and have been to this very airport multiple times in order to visit family and this beloved country. Just two years ago I stepped foot on the ground and terminal where this attack happened. The sorrow and pain I feel is incredible and leaves me to wonder how the people who witnessed the attack are coping and how the Turkish citizens are feeling. I can only think of one word and it's "unimaginable". Unimaginable is what all of these people are feeling because that's exactly what it is to people like me and you merely peering from the outside.
I asked my mother how she feels about what's happening to her country and she told me, "It affects me in a way that I don't know how to describe. Inside of me cries day and night to think that someday where I was born and where my parents are buried may not even exist."
Although there is no knowing when or where the next attack is going to happen, there is a way we can acknowledge them and bring awareness to this problem and controversy of ISIS and Islam. That way is to speak. To be heard. And to not stay quiet.
