UPDATE: BOKO HARAM AND NIGERIAN GOVT. REACH AGREEMENT. GIRLS WILL BE RELEASED.
Six months after Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group, abducted 276 girls from boarding schools 57 have escaped and 219 remain captive and the outrage seems to have been lost, except for those still facing Boko Haram and the families of the kidnapped girls. Many nations, including the United States pledged their support in freeing the abducted girls but no military or diplomatic action has been taken. It seems there was more said than actually done for the girls.
Boko Haram has killed thousands since its creation in 2002 and hopes to create an Islamic State in north eastern Nigeria.
I think that the international community should be doing more to save these helpless girls. It would be almost impossible to rid the world of Islamic extremist since they are so numerous, but if we can lessen the dangerous with some support from other nations.
Boko Haram, the Islamist group responsible for the kidnapping of 200+ girls in Northeastern Nigeria, and the Nigerian government have reached a cease fire deal, part of which secures the release of the girls still held by Boko Haram.
The Nigerian government has said it would not reveal what concessions it would make as a part of the deal but made it clear they would not give up territory.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29665165
-- Edited by Sami_THECREATOR on Friday 17th of October 2014 06:05:49 PM
Obviously the International community should be doing more to free these girls but on the topic of stopping Islamic fundamentalism what I believe we need to do to is to give everyone in the middle east an Iphone. Sounds weird I know but think about it. In America and the rest of the western world we have an instant gratification culture full of distractions. People are too busy with whats on TV to tell there children about God in America. I mean Jesus is cool... I guess but Is he an Iphone? Can Jesus let me text my friends, watch online videos or listen to music? No I didn't think so. People in America have too many distractions to really care about religion and because of that we don't have that many Christian fundamentalist. If we look at the middle east though they do have time to tell there children about how important Allah is and stuff. They aren't distracted by important things like celeb drama or or the hottest pop single that's out and that needs to change if we want to stop Islamic fundamentalism.
-- Edited by Drowse on Friday 17th of October 2014 06:36:03 PM
I don't find it surprising how it has lost its impact on us. It has been side-lined just as numerous other issues have been as more current events have shown up. Events such as ebola and ISIS have pushed their way to center stage these past few months, causing other news to fall back. Regardless of how much attention the issue gets, the issue retains its importance and urgency. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this. Problems such as Boko Harum and the abduction of all these girls have been categorized as well. We associate them with Africa and ebola. I do think we need to participate more directly on these issues, but I do not think we are ignoring them.
I absolutely agree the international community should be doing more to free these girls. But unfortunately, I feel many people have moved on because of their gender and race. Nevertheless, the international community has made a commitment to help these girls and they should stick to it. I don't know if there is any way to fix the problem of Islamic fundamentalism. It is a belief, and people tend to be very closely tied to their beliefs. I think there should be political actions against groups who interfere with other people in a negative way, however, I don't believe the is anyway to actually solve the problem.
We, as in the international community, need to take a stand against violent fundementalist Islam. I don't think race or gender have been the factors in our inactivity, as a nation, however. I feel that it stems from failed foreign policy, and a lack of willingness to take a stand against radical Islam for fear of being called "Islam-phobic" or "racist." There are many Muslims that live peacefully in society, and this is a threat to them as well. We can't be timid about facing problems in society due to political correctness.
Note: Islam is not a race. It is a religion. To call someone a racist because they stand against radical Islam or speak out against Sharia law is stupid. Pay attention to folks in the media who say this.
"As far as our girls are concerned, they have been abandoned," said Mkeki Mutah, an uncle of two of the missing - 17-year-old Saratu and 18-year-old Elizabeth.
"There is a saying: 'Actions speak louder than words.' Leaders from around the world came out and said they would assist to bring the girls back, but now we hear nothing. The question I wish to raise is: why?" Mutah told Al Jazeera.
"If they knew they would not do anything, they wouldn't have even made that promise at all. By just coming out to tell the world, I see that as a political game, which it shouldn't be so far as the girls are concerned."
Would this situation be different in the U.S.? These girls must feel hopeless after 6 months. I think the international community should do everything they promised and then some to bring back these girls, because each and everyone of those girls was someones daughter.
I agree with what Dylan said. The U.S. has had other issues pop up that have been prioritized in the last few weeks. However, the U.S. should have continued with their efforts to help the girls.
I thought that what Riley had to say about how to solve Islamic fundamentalism was funny and kind of true. On another note though, I think we need to teach people that not all people of the Islamic faith are fundamentalists/extremists. I am aware that the population of them is growing, but it is still a small percent of the Muslim population.
I think it's really important that we don't forget about this problem. Just because we have a lot to do right now with ISIS and Ebola shouldn't mean that we don't care about other important things that are still going on right now.
