While America woke up asking itself why, London had seen it coming. The minute the planes flew into the World Trade Centre nearly four years ago, the UK was only waiting for its turn. Britain?s involvement in the Iraq invasion had made it a top target on the terrorists? hit list. While the war on terror, and the way it is conducted, can be questioned, there is no doubt about the cause of such turmoil. It is hate. Not hate for freedom and democracy as the American president likes to claim. But just pure hate bred by the close alliance of religion and politics.

Some commentators, with barely masked racism, blame the whole Arab world for Islamic terrorism, citing their jealousy of the West?s prosperity as the main cause of their envy. This is too easy an interpretation. Obviously, a clear political undercurrent exists in the resentment of some in the Muslim world towards the Western establishment. The continued occupation of Palestine, where Israel exerts power as a de facto colonial regime, is tolerated by the Americans. Furthermore, many other countries, from Algeria to Saudi Arabia via Jordan, are allowed to repress their people and deny them freedom often with the patronage of the Americans (in the form of arms). Reasons vary, from oil to the friendliness of the regime (towards US multinationals or as interrogation havens for those accused of terrorism) or because they keep Islamists under control. The occupation of Iraq has just added to the sense of injustice among Muslims.

<B>Political bitterness</B>

When the historical grievances over the crusades are added, there is no dearth of political bitterness. Wars have been fought for lesser reasons. However, the situation becomes inflammatory once religion comes into the picture. Though politicians often seem unreasonable, politics is in itself based on facts. To counter a political opponent, the best tool available is reason, sometimes dressed in flamboyance for effectiveness. By contrast, religion is based on faith and belief. It gives some people a sense of security that someone is watching over them. This someone, being in control of life, can be turned to in times of distress for comfort. So far so good. People have the right to believe in what they want, and it is their prerogative to choose and express a religious allegiance.

But this right should end there. A step further, in the direction of politics, is a step too far. It is this mixture of politics and religion that creates the current hatred and trauma that the world is going through. Lest we forget, New York, Madrid and London do not hold exclusivity over loss of innocent lives in recent years. Iraq, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Egypt and Turkey have all been visited by suicide bombers, resulting in even more casualties than the three Western cities combined. Moreover, Islamic radicalism is not the only tendency where this unholy marriage between religion and politics has caused carnage. Zionism, Hindu nationalism and Christian intolerance have all at some point slaughtered in the name of God.

Last week?s atrocity in London is only a timely reminder for Mauritius, after an electoral campaign peppered with religious references, of where hate leads. Public figures must keep their distance from religion. If they want to practise their faith, they should do it in their place of worship and not in office.

<B>Diren VALAYDEN<B> Outlook Correspondent in Dublin