On Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2008 at 7:50 p.m., a suicide bomber blew up a truck filled with 600 kilograms of explosives in front of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. With over 50 individuals dead and over 260 injured, this was the biggest attack to occur in Pakistan in the past seven years. While at least two foreigners were killed in the attack, the majority of the victims were Pakistani hotel employees, security guards, and drivers.
Located in a high-security area that includes the Pakistani Parliament and Supreme Court, the Islamabad Marriott serves as a powerful symbol in Pakistan and hosts many foreign diplomats. The timing of this bombing, which occurred during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and shortly after Iftaar, the post-sunset meal, has served to heighten the gravity of the attack.
As a member of the Columbia Organization of Pakistani Students (OPS) and the Columbia community, I felt that this attack was not given sufficient coverage by the American news media. Not only is it essential that the media provide basic information about the news event, but the individual responses and stories should also be conveyed as they signify a natural human response to which all individuals, regardless of their circumstances, can relate.
Immediately upon hearing about the attack, I remember searching for articles online to learn more about the bombing. I could barely find more than one article from any given news source. The lack of media coverage on the human impact of the attack may have been a result of the unsteady political and military relationship between Pakistan and America. Coverage of the Islamabad bombing has been greatly overshadowed by reports of the exchange of gunfire between the Pakistani military and American helicopters at the Pakistani-Afghan border. While the political implications of this exchange are undoubtedly significant for the future of Pakistani-American relations and the greater fight against terrorism, the loss of life that resulted in Islamabad should not be overlooked. Instead, the uncertain nature of the Pakistani-American relationship makes it even more important that the media and global community report on the basic humanitarian issues affecting the families of those killed or injured by the Islamabad attack. This understanding is necessary to ensure that Pakistan is recognized as a nation of individuals, rather than just another Islamic nation with military capabilities.
Instead of learning about the attack through the news media, I gained a better understanding of the nature of the tragic event through personal accounts by fellow students and their friends in Pakistan. One individual recounted that her family lived close to the Marriott Hotel and amidst the confusion, had initially thought that they were experiencing an earthquake rather than a terrorist attack. Stories such as these have become particularly important for the growing number of Pakistani students on campus. Sharing personal accounts and participating in events that raise awareness for the Islamabad situation has allowed them to stay connected to their distant homeland and contribute to the relief effort.
On a larger scale, the implications of the Islamabad attack are extremely significant for Pakistanis and the global community. This attack indicates a common threat to the freedoms valued by individuals around the world. The magnitude of this issue has been evident throughout the current American presidential campaign process, which has featured an ongoing discussion about the stability of Pakistan and its role in the fight against terrorism. Many Columbia students have been active participants in this election process, which will shape the face of national and international security for the next four years. It is imperative that as participants in the political process, we possess an understanding of the complex and delicate situation in Pakistan, as it will impact the daily lives of both American and Pakistani citizens. From a global perspective, it is evident that the stability of Pakistan is in the best interest of American citizens and the international community.
To further this understanding of the situation in Pakistan, the OPS will be holding a vigil to demonstrate the Columbia community’s support for those impacted by the Islamabad attack at the Sundial on College Walk on Monday, Sept. 29th from 8 to 9 p.m. The event will include a prayer by Imam Syed Sayeed, a prominent religious life advisor in the Columbia community, and the reading of the names of victims to serve as a reminder of the significance of each life lost to these violent terrorist attacks. As a show of solidarity, OPS is encouraging the campus community to wear black at the vigil and throughout the day on Monday.
The events of the past seven years have indicated that terrorism and hate-propelled crimes can impact all communities—from our own Morningside Heights campus and greater metropolitan New York area to the United States and South Asia. Individuals around the world are engaged in an ideological struggle driven by fear that transcends our cultural and religious backgrounds. It is time for us to unite as individuals against such attacks on our humanity. We must come together as a community to display our support for the Islamabad victims and their families, for all of the Pakistani people striving to live in peace, and for all those individuals yearning to live in a safer and more secure world.
The author is a Barnard College senior majoring in neuroscience and behavior. She is the president of the Columbia Organization of Pakistani Students.