Norwegian Soil

---"I have a message to those who attacked us, a message from the whole of Norway. You won’t destroy us. You won't destroy our democracy. We are a small but proud nation. No one can bomb us to silence. No one can scare us from being Norway. When tomorrow comes, let’s show the world that the Norwegian democracy still stands strong. The most important thing tonight is to take care of each other."--- Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg 

Oslo after bomb went off

Utøya Island-youth summer camp

Yesterday while many of you were still in bed sleeping I watched a piece of Norway fall down. Today there are many families that sit and wait for news of missing loved ones and others that sit in shock and disbelief. News unfolded slowly and speculations were inevitable. Who could do such a thing and why little Norway?

Norway is a nation better known for its active diplomacy and peacekeeping missions than as a target for extremists. 

Initial reports focused on the possibility of Islamic militants, in particular Ansar al-Jihad al-Alami, or Helpers of the Global Jihad. There was ample reason for concern that terrorists might be responsible. In 2004 and again in 2008, the No. 2 leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahri, who took over after the death of Osama bin Laden, threatened Norway because of its support of the American-led NATO military operation in Afghanistan. Norway has over 500 soldiers and several medevac helicopters in northern Afghanistan. 

Well guess what? While there are still alot of unknown facts at this time, one man posted last Sunday, these words on Twitter: 

 

“One person with a belief is equal to the force of 100,000 who have only interests.” 

This 32 year old Norwegian political extremist confessed to bombing the government center, killing 7 people, before he headed over to an island summer camp for young members of the governing Labor Party and continued to kill over 80 people. This was the deadliest attack on Norwegian soil since World War 11, and it was a Norwegian man who did it. What kind of a message has he sent out to a confused nation and an astonished world? We are still waiting to hear, but one thing is perfectly clear. A terrorist can be found in anyones back yard and the color of his skin or religion has nothing to do with the weapons he bears.  



Yesterday I watched a piece of Norway fall down, but today I watch as it stands up again stronger then ever. Norway may have lost its innocence, but its heart is still strong.

 

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