Thirteen years after 15 Arab terrorists linked to Al Qaeda attacked the United States, Canada is facing the wrath of Islamic radicalism.
In the past few days, two Canadian soldiers — Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo — have been murdered by Canadian acolytes of Islamic State, the jihadist organization that has conquered wide swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria.
Vincent, 53, was killed in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, after being hit by a car driven by Martin Rouleau-Couture. Cirillo, 24, was shot in the back by Michael Zehaf-Bibeau while on guard duty at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the nation’s capital.
Both killers, converts to Islam, were gunned down.
The deaths of Vincent and Cirillo occurred two weeks after the House of Commons passed a motion authorizing Canada to join an international coalition arrayed against Islamic State, which has terrorized Syrians and Iraqis in territories it controls, harassed and murdered Shiite Muslims and Christians and beheaded several foreigners. Under the resolution, Canada will send six aircraft and supporting personnel to the Middle East. The mission is clear — to degrade and, if possible, to destroy Islamic State.
After the passage of the motion, an Islamic State spokesman called on its supporters abroad to attack Canadians.
It appears that Rouleau-Couture and Zehaf-Bibeau took the message to heart.
On his Facebook page, Rouleau-Couture extolled Islamic State violence, voiced antisemitic sentiments and denigrated Christianity. Zehaf-Bibeau was more unobtrusive, but like the Canadians who’ve gone to Syria to fight for Islamic State, he, too, had been brainwashed.
Although Canadians were shaken by these horrific events, they realize that Canada must show resolve and stand up to Islamic State, which personifies the ugly face of Islamic extremism.
Certainly, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has displayed strength and fortitude. “We will not be cowed by threats,” he said.
The twin attacks, he added, “will lead us to strengthen our resolve and redouble our efforts to work with our allies around the world and fight against terrorist organizations that brutalize those in other countries with the hope of bringing their savagery to our shores.”
Canadians who understand the brutal and reactionary nature of Islamic State will applaud Harper’s speech. But words are not enough. Which is why the Harper government will soon introduce anti-terrorist legislation that will enable Canadian security agencies to better cope with terrorists like Rouleau-Couture and Zehaf-Bibeau in the future.
Muslim communities in Canada have a role to play, too.
It’s incumbent on their leaders to promote democratic values, denounce jihadism and ostracize radicals in their midst. Nothing less will do.
In the meantime, let us mourn two Canadians who were slain by murderous jihadists under the influence of Islamic State.