It really makes me sick how every time I read the news, there is a story about youth stabbings. A lot of the time it's over something trivial, like standing up to a hoodie who is picking on the elderly or chucking litter on your car.
The worst thing about this is that people are afraid to act. When you see something terrible happen you have to right a wrong but these days people are terrified that if they stand up to anyone they'll get stabbed or beaten to death. My mother tells me "Just ignore these people and they'll go away otherwise they might harass us". It is sensible advice but what are the consequences? Sooner or later that gang will go on to do worse things.
To deal with knife crime in my own life and to minimize it on a national level, Islamically what is the best course of action to take?
I take self defense classes. I'm still a beginner so if I was in a situation with 4 big lads I would run like the roadrunner! But if I was with my mum or my nephew or any other loved one, running isn't really an option. My view is that if every single person learnt self defense in school (maybe as part of the curriculum) we would have less of these kind of crimes.
The worst thing about this is that people are afraid to act. When you see something terrible happen you have to right a wrong but these days people are terrified that if they stand up to anyone they'll get stabbed or beaten to death. My mother tells me "Just ignore these people and they'll go away otherwise they might harass us". It is sensible advice but what are the consequences? Sooner or later that gang will go on to do worse things.
To deal with knife crime in my own life and to minimize it on a national level, Islamically what is the best course of action to take?
I take self defense classes. I'm still a beginner so if I was in a situation with 4 big lads I would run like the roadrunner! But if I was with my mum or my nephew or any other loved one, running isn't really an option. My view is that if every single person learnt self defense in school (maybe as part of the curriculum) we would have less of these kind of crimes.