Three suicide attacks at Istanbul’s Anaturk airport late Tuesday evening have left 41 dead and hundreds injured. As the world reels in the aftermath of the tragedy, social media has been ablaze with a wave of debate and commentary on the attacks from across the world.
Many users condemned the attacks and expressed their solidarity and support of Turkey, with #PrayforIstanbul trending on Twitter.
No more Hate#PrayForIstanbul pic.twitter.com/bp4j6ZAMET
— Bob Sinclar (@bobsinclar) June 29, 2016
Pray for #Istanbul . Peace for the world. (Image by @hellocdr ) pic.twitter.com/QCBGsa4zRa
— Ivy (@Ivy_4MJ) June 29, 2016
With experts claiming the attack has all the hallmarks of Daesh (also known as the Islamic State), Islam is yet again at the center of debate across the Twittersphere.
Many have shut down the common assumption that Daesh is representative of Islam, drawing on the notable fact that Turkey has a 98% Muslim population.
ISIS attacked a Muslim majority country during the holy month of Ramadan and most of the victims are Muslim. But it calls itself "Islamic".
— Iyad El-Baghdadi (@iyad_elbaghdadi) June 29, 2016
Those who equate #ISIS w/ #Islam should note today’s #IstanbulAttack carried out in holy month ag #Muslims in a Muslim majority country.
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) June 29, 2016
الرسول عمه مشرك ولم يقتله
— أحترم نساء العالم (@sha3eralnsaa_) June 27, 2016
جاره يهودي ويؤذيه ومع ذلك لم يقتله
وانت والديك مسلمين وتقتلهم!
من أين أتيت بهذا الدين ؟
داعش لعنت الله عليهم
The Prophet's uncle was a polytheist, and he didn't kill him. The Prophet's neighbor was Jewish, and he didn't kill him. AND YOUR PARENTS ARE MUSLIMS AND YOU KILL MUSLIMS. May God put a curse on them.
However, the attack also brought out the diehard Islamophobes, alongside some general ignorance. In a hark back to Donald Trump, some suggested Turkey should ban Muslims from entering its borders – an interesting suggestion for a Muslim majority country.
I would be thrilled to know just how many lives would be saved by refusing to let any Muslims into your country #istanbul #StopIslam
— DJ FUCK THE EU (@aClockworkTom) June 29, 2016
Others voiced criticism over the world’s apparent bias towards white and European victims of violence, alongside an indifference to attacks in the Middle East.
Why is there no uproar when Muslims are killed by terrorists in the holy month of Ramadan?no memes on Instagram , prayers for Turkey,nothing
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) June 29, 2016
Ask yourself while we only pray for some but believe others had it coming or are unworthy of prayer. #Istanbul pic.twitter.com/xunYbYsV8j
— DanielleMoodie-Mills (@DeeTwoCents) June 29, 2016
#مطار_أتاتورك
— فهد الحارثي (@fahad200051) June 29, 2016
لن تضيء من أجله أبراج دبي كما أضاءت بحادثة فرنسا.
لأن البلد المنكوب مسلم والقتلى مسلمين.#تفجير_اسطنبول #تركيا #إسطنبول
They're not going to light up buildings in Dubai for Turkey like they did for France. That's because the afflicted country is Muslim and those who were killed were Muslim.
Amid the tragedy of the attacks, acts of human kindess and compassion were ever present. One Turkish student, living near Ataturk airport, took to twitter to offer his home to those trapped at the airport and in need of accommodation.
Öğrenciyim, havaalanında mahsur kalan/kalacak yeri olmayanlar varsa DM'den ulaşabilirler evim havaalanına yakın, ücretsiz misafir edebilirim
— Mertecim (@mertecim) June 28, 2016
I am a student at the airport. If you are trapped at the airport/have no place to stay, DM me. My house is close to airport, guests can stay for free.
AM
