The purpose of the terrorists is to divide the world into Muslims and Christians and provoke a global war. However, we must not allow anyone to divide us and the only way to oppose the terrorists is to join efforts and fight that threat side by side, Pakistani citizen Saif Rehman told Radio Bulgaria. He could not hide his anger against the terrorists who caused bloodshed in Brussels several days ago. Saif calls them beasts, adding that they must not be associated with the Muslim religion, because one of the Koran's commandments reads Thou Shalt Not Kill.

Seif Rehman arrived in Bulgaria back in 1994. He was on his way to Western Europe and intended to stay in Bulgaria only temporarily, but twenty two years later he still lives in this country. He is a decent and very compassionate citizen - he popularized the aristocratic sport Cricket in Bulgaria and established the first cricket club. He played for the club for many years and trained young athletes free of charge. In the recent years he has been training children with disabilities. He does it again for free, because cricket is in his blood and because he can't put up with the fact that some people in the streets turn a blind eye on different children. Saif also runs his own Pakistani restaurant.

Since Saif is another good example of a Muslim who integrated successfully in the local society, he can't accept the fact that his reputation is smeared when he and other people like him are associated with terrorists who made suicidal attacks in European capitals.

“The terrorist attacks in Brussels are associated with Islam, but they have nothing to do with that religion”, Saif Rehman said. “Whether it is the Islamic State, the Taliban or Al Qaeda, we are always talking about mean-spirited people who perpetrate those terrorist acts. Such people do not deserve to live. I can't call human someone who takes other peoples' lives. The Koran itself forbids murder and suicide. I can list many things forbidden by the Koran, but unfortunately “the beasts” do all types of forbidden things. We must find the core of the problem - why people born in West Europe become suicide killers. They were born and study there, and have friends at the University. Why those people are allowed to go to Afghanistan or join the Islamic State where they are trained to become terrorists. People should know that those terrorists have nothing to do with Islam. Unfortunately, many Muslims and peaceful citizens suffer from those beasts.”

After the terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001, some 70,000 Pakistani people fell victims to terrorism, Saif Rehman reminds. As a result, his country adopted very severe legislation and now people can go to jail, only if they show a sign of verbal terrorism. In Saif Rehman's view, Europe must also adopt merciless legislation and guarantee the security of its citizens.

Europe should help the migrants who are trying to escape from the war, but at the same time it must be vigilant and know who enters the EU states, Saif Rehman further said and added:

“We must help these people, but at the same time be aware that some of the migrants who enter Europe may be terrorists. We must be very careful, prevent human trafficking and fight the smugglers who help migrants enter the European countries illegally. All migrants must enter the countries through the border checkpoints and they must be subject to strict control. However, unfortunately, most of the terrorists are local people, born in Belgium, France, England, etc.”

At the end of our conversation Saif Rehman remembered a funny story that happened on the day of his arrival to Bulgaria. There were no yellow cabs at that time and he entered a Lada car with a large signal lamp. He admired the two “drivers in uniforms”, but wondered why they started shouting at him and pushed him out of the car. Later, he learnt that he went into a Police car. Today Seif remembers that story with a smile on his face.

“Look how time changes! Back in 1994 a Muslim coming from a third world country could voluntarily go to a police car and the policemen would get rid of him. Now things are different - when Policemen see someone coming from a third world country, especially a Muslim, they immediately stop him and push him inside their car.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov