Bombings Kill Hundreds in Sri Lanka and Another Synagogue is Attacked
By Nate Feldman
The week began with a series of catastrophic explosions throughout the South Asian island nation of Sri Lanka, killing over 250 people. Multiple churches and hotels were targeted as locals and internationals celebrated Easter Sunday. According to news reports, people from as many as 17 nationalities died in the attacks.
Authorities in Sri Lanka have attributed these attacks to the National Thowheeth Jama'ath, an extremist Islamist organization in their country. In addition, the ISIL, or sometimes referred to as ISIS, organization by Tuesday had said it was behind the attack. An article in the Washington Post at the beginning of the week stated that the bombings were carried out in retaliation for 50 Muslims killed in Christchurch, New Zealand by a white supremacist in March.
There was anger at Sri Lankan political leaders who allegedly had received warnings about an impending attack but did nothing to prevent it. Later in the week, the country's defense secretary resigned because of the criticism.
There was swift and massive condemnation from all corners of the world following the attack. Many world leaders showed solidarity with Sri Lanka and offered assistance.
By the end of the week, there were clashes between security forces and people suspected of being involved in the attack. According to CNN, 16 people, among them 10 civilians and 6 militants, were killed in a gunfight with police in eastern Sri Lanka on Friday.
While there was fear this violence could lead to sectarian tensions in Sri Lanka, there were interfaith vigils in different locations around the world where people of all religions came together to mourn the victims. A notable gathering happened at the Malvern Methodist Church in Scarborough, Ontario in Canada where people of different faiths came for an evening of prayer.
Unfortunately, the week ended with another attack on a place of worship, as a person, currently being identified as a 19 year old white male, entered a synagogue in Poway, California, right outside of San Diego, and opened fire, killing a 60 year old woman and wounding three, including the rabbi. The shooter was taken into custody. This attack comes exactly six months after a shooter killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
