ON XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS

ON XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS

Let Brotherly Love Continue

Dictionary definitions of xenophobia include: "deep-rooted, irrational hatred towards foreigners" (Oxford English Dictionary), and "unreasonable fear or hatred of the unfamiliar" (Webster's).

There have been xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa recently, a number of people have been killed, and businesses looted. This is not the first time it is happening in South Africa.

It is not peculiar to South Africa, xenophobia has been witnessed in other countries as well, in several forms. According to the BBC, "anti-foreigner attacks by the far right rose by 20.4% to 473, compared with 393 in 2012", in Germany. Xenophobic attacks have also been reported in Europe and in other African countries. Xenophobic attacks occurred in Nigeria too in 1983 when up to two million immigrants were asked to leave the country, mostly Ghanaians. Reports say that some of them were burnt alive.

There was xenophobia even in Bible days: wells dug by Isaac's herdsmen were seized by the men of Gerar; the Levite's concubine was raped by a gang in Gibeah, etc.

Xenophobia occurs when "citizens are quick to assert, nationalistically, that the "aliens" have come to take over their country, their resources, their jobs, their culture, and what have you." Xenophobia is fuelled by unemployment, fear, greed, unequal distribution of resources, and sometimes too, just hatred for strangers.

I have never understood the psychology of killers. I have never comprehended why a human being will kill another human being intentionally, especially when they are not on a battle ground. It just doesn't make sense to me. Murdering innocent individuals, for any reason, irrespective of who they are and where they reside cannot be justified. If immigrants are residing and doing business in a place illegally, the right thing for individuals to do is to report to the appropriate authorities to have them deported. However, if they are there lawfully, then they must be allowed to live and do their legitimate businesses in peace without fear!

The world has become a global village, with foreigners living, working and studying in nearly every country. These demonic attacks must stop! People should not allow themselves to be used by the devil to hurt other individuals in any way! People must stop taking laws into their hands! Governments must live up to their responsibility of securing every life and property within their borders!

Let brotherly love continue!

April 15, 2015

Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim
Author, Spirit & Life Devotional
Pastor, Able Ministers

Twitter: @PastorChinae
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