Fed-up with terrorism, the Venice, Italy mayor authorized shooting anyone uttering “Allahu Akbar.” Effectively, Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has directed the local police force to take immediate measures to thwart any would-be terrorist speaking the words routinely prefacing a terrorist attack on people.
Not only are Islamic terrorists going to be immediately dealt with, he limited the grounds for which they can expect swift police actions. “Anyone who shouts ‘Allahu Akbar’ in St. Mark’s Square can expect to be gunned down by snipers within four paces,” Mayor Brugnaro told reporters.
Supporters?
According to UK-based The Sun, Mayor Brugnaro received a round of applause after stating his stance against bomb-toting and truck-plowing terrorists with access to public venues and hordes of innocent people. “’We need to increase our security when it comes to terrorism,” Brugnaro said to supporters and reporters.
Typically screamed before detonation of terrorists bombs, gunfire, or mowing down crowds, “Allahu Akbar” translates to “God is greatest.” The only catch, though, is that those two words –Allahu Akbar– also signal prayer-time and expressions of Muslim faithfulness.
Disastrously, however, those two words regularly prelude acts of terror inflicted on innocents and/or target-rich venues. Recognizing and responding to that factor, Mayor Brugnaro added, “We had four would-be terrorists arrested in Venice a few months ago who wanted to blow up the Rialto bridge.” With many of Venice’s world-renowned arterial waterways spanned by bridges, he has a point.
Referring to the Rialto Bridge, waters flowing underneath also implies channeling via which terrorists gain access to impose their will and destruction. Mayor Brugnaro has an answer for that too, saying, “I have never been politically correct, in fact I am politically correct and that’s why we also need a naval blockade against people coming into Italy from north Africa.’’ Many may not find it difficult to vote for a stalwart leader like that. It certainly pales in comparison to American ways, means, values and Constitutional allowances.
‘’They said they wanted to go and meet Allah so we will send them straight to Allah without having to throw them off the bridge, we will just shoot them.’’
“Let’s be clear: it’s the end of do-gooders.”
Mayor Brugnaro told European media, the time for “naïve optimism” is over, adding, “Let’s be clear: it’s the end of do-gooders.”
Venice’s mayor is apparently not a man who minces words. He is also not one to play politics. Instead, Brugnaro seems intent on protecting his city and its citizens’ rights to roam freely without Islamic radicals lurking in their midst.
Spiritual and Logistical Considerations
Although it appears his message is well-intended, it may create challenges for Venice police. If and when anyone of the Muslim faith utters those two words, Italian cops will have the typical split-second timing during which a shoot/don’t shoot decision must be made. Muslims signaling time for prayer…and Muslims telegraphing their final words before absolute destruction are polar opposites and may burden police and have dire consequences either way. This poses the proverbial What if scenarios. The Carabinieri (Italian police) have their work cut out for sure.
Nevertheless, Mayor Brugnaro may be onto something of a preemptive nature. Post 9/11 police intelligence gathered terror plans in which mastermind Mohamed Atta reportedly wrote, ““Shout, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.”
Then and Now
“Allahu Akbar” dates back to the seventh century when Prophet Muhammad shouted those two particular words as a battle cry. America and many other nations have heard those two words…before carnage was inflicted.
Mayor Brugnaro told The Times, “In contrast with Barcelona, where they had not set up protection, we keep our guard up. If anyone runs into St Mark’s Square shouting ‘Allahu Akhbar’, we will take him down. A year ago I said after four steps, now after three. I will say it in Venetian: ‘Ghe Sparemo’ (We will shoot him).”
What do you think about Mayor Brugnaro? Is he courting controversy by issuing a blank check to police with express authority to take-down anyone who says “Allahu Akbar”? Italian or not, I suspect he is receiving plenty of grazie.
