Do Western nations think that Muslim lives matter less? Most of us would resist any such characterization of callousness. But Western outrage about thecarnage in Paris, coupled with near-indifference to similar killings in the Arab world, suggests to many Muslims that a double standard exists — and they find it deeply upsetting.
In the past week, terrorists apparently aligned with the Islamic State conducted three savage attacks: The assaults in Paris that killed at least 129 people Friday night were the worst. But Sunni terrorists also struck Thursday in Beirut in a double suicide bombing that killed at least 43 in a Shiite neighborhood. Twin bombings in Shiite areas of Baghdad on Friday killed 26, and a string of bombs added at least seven more on Sunday.
These tragedies should unite Westerners and Muslims, and create a common solidarity against the terrorists of the Islamic State, whose rampages have killed far more Muslims than those of other faiths. It should now be obvious that the Islamic State will brutalize Muslim “apostates” and Christian and Jewish “unbelievers” with equal savagery. That has been its method since its founding more than a decade ago. What’s new is greater export of the mayhem outside the Middle East.
But instead of solidarity, some GOP governors were quick to argue that only Christian refugees from Syria should be admitted to the United States. It’s hard to imagine anything that would bolster the Islamic State’s narrative more. President Obama rightly called such intolerant rhetoric “shameful.” It’s also unwise. The same goes for Sen. Mario Rubio’s (R-Fla.) argument that there is a “clash of civilizations” underway. What does he say to the Muslim victims in Beirut and Baghdad?