The Attacks
France has been on it's toes since January of 2015, when 17 people were killed in a terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo and the surrounding Parisian suburbs. The recent terror attacks in the heart of the City of Lights have caused the French to respond by sending fighter jets that bombed several ISIS sites on Sunday, with the help of the United States. France's president, Francois Hollande, has claimed ISIS's responsibility for the attacks "an act of war," and he has informed the rest of the world that they are in no way backing down if the safety of the people of France or its allies is being jeopardized.
According to the New York Times, the alleged mastermind behind the attacks, Abelhamid Abaaoud, was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning following a police raid in Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris. The death of the Islamic State militant might put an end to one part of the grueling criminal investigation that has been going on since Friday, November 13, but other individuals who are considered to be responsible are still at large. France is begging for Europe, as well as the rest of the world, to stop these terrorist efforts and come together to prevent any further attacks.
The Future
The support for France and peace from people around the world has been overwhelming. Donations have been made and an obvious stance has been taken, but one thing that has not changed is France's dedication to remaining a "country of freedom," not one of hostility. That being said, Hollande stated early Thursday that France will continue to accept migrants and refugees from various countries despite the attacks on Paris last Friday.
While some may severely disagree with the French President's decision, it is about more than the Syrian refugees. France's absolute poise during a time of crisis and the country's respect for their commitment is a model that many world leaders and nations should take note of, if not model. The U.S. indicated that it does not plan on halting its efforts to help settle Syrian refugees, decrying the hostility and hate for Muslims that the Islamic State is trying to create.
What is important for the rest of the world to realize, regardless of their stance on the acceptance of refugees into their native country or their perceptions of ISIS, is that life can change in an instant. We never know what is going to happen next, as very clearly exhibited by the recent events in France. Each and every one of us is no different than the victims of the Paris attacks, so we can only hope that if we were in their shoes, people would work towards peace and justice to prevent further attacks. We must remember that we rise by lifting others, not by tearing them down.
