How to Recognize a Terrorist

Security personnel are thoroughly trained and know what to look for when it comes to recognizing a potential terrorist. Nevertheless, terrorists manage to slip right by them with seemingly little to no effort. Why?

With today's multicultural society, people are no longer separated into different categories. One may appear to be a Middle Easterner entering the United States when in fact the person is an American citizen returning from a business trip. Another may look no different than any other American yet could actually be a citizen of a hostile nation. This creates quite a problem when it comes to recognizing a terrorist.

Since 9/11, Muslims of Middle Eastern dissent have been the target of inspection at security check points. It is quite obvious that not all Muslims from the Middle East are terrorists and it is very unfortunate that due to their ethnic background they are more closely scrutinized during travel than anyone else.

Christians are appalled at certain extremists that commit such blasphemous acts as those that have been seen in the news lately- things that true Christians would never do. These groups do not represent true Christianity and no true Christian would want to be associated with them.

The same can be said of most Muslims who are just as appalled as everyone else when an act of terrorism has been committed. They know that most of the world tends to look sideways at them as a result of what these extremists Muslim terrorist are doing around the world and that they are being grouped together with them.

Any true Christian that has felt the shame and embarrassment that was brought about by those who call themselves Christian yet commit non Christian acts that end up being broadcasted around the world via world news agencies, should understand how frustrating this can be.

However, the reality is that even though most Muslims are not terrorists, many terrorists have been Muslim. It's a fact that cannot be denied. And if you were to ask a Middle Eastern Muslim right now what he would consider a potential terrorist he would likely describe a Muslim of Middle Eastern dissent.

No one really wants to single out a certain race or religion and many Muslims have been wrongfully treated because of the terrorist acts that have been committed since 9/11. It's a shame that it has come to this but due to the circumstances it's difficult to see how it can be avoided.

Security personnel are only doing their job of protecting innocent lives. The fault lies with misguided extremist Muslims that have brought shame upon an otherwise peaceful people who want what everyone else wants; which is to make an honest living, raise their kids properly, and live in a world of peace.

The Arab Spring uprising in the Middle East shows that the upcoming generation of those regions has outgrown the old traditions. They are fed up with the practices of their leaders and are fighting for change. So, one cannot condemn all Middle Eastern Muslims for the acts of terrorism committed by radical extremists.

Most of us know and understand this and we don't look at Middle Eastern Muslims on the streets, in restaurants, or in shopping malls as terrorists. However, when waiting in a crowded airport, bus terminal, train station, or subway, we see a somewhat shady looking man who appears to be a Middle Eastern Muslim, most of us automatically think, "terrorist".

Therefore, when it comes to recognizing a terrorist, most of us will instinctively group anyone who appears to be a Middle Eastern Muslim as a possible terrorist. And regardless of whether they admit it or not, non-extremist Middle Eastern Muslims themselves do the same thing. They are just as vulnerable as anyone else and they know what those radical extremists are capable of.

In conclusion, recognizing a terrorist is not easy but there are things that we can watch for. Someone who is planning something radical may appear nervous, jumpy, or looking around cautiously. He may be wearing bulky clothing as if hiding something beneath them. If he's planning something he would be distracted and distant. This type of behavior should be reported to security.

But what if you're wrong?

Security doesn't reach out and snatch someone from the crowd just because someone else suspects them of being a terrorist. They know what to look for and would likely observe their behavior to determine what action, if any, should be taken.

On the other hand, the most important question is what if you're right? You could quite possibly save the lives of an entire group of unsuspecting people from an act of terror.