London, 731 days on

7^th of July 2007

Sometimes, it is important not to get carried away with the significance of numbers and dates. Dates should be remembered for reflection, commemoration or celebration however when numbers come together like yesterday the 7^th day of the 7^th month or the 7^th (in fact 8^th) year of the millennium, soothsayers, rumour mongers and people of dubious intent come together to give another day more significance than it should have.

Obviously, the masses would find some significant thing to do on that day, for instance the new Amsterdam Public Library opened on 070707, luckily no moons were to collide, meteors hit the Live Earth concerts or Second Coming frights.

London getting on

So, London was on my mind yesterday as Aldgate East, Edgware Road, Russell Square and Tavistock Square reached the solemn procession of victims, survivors, friends, family and sympathisers in low-keyed commemoration of the 2^nd anniversary of the London Terrorist bombings.

As they contemplated on the things they have been through, London received the peloton to commence the Tour de France through the big streets of political and royal London, a Live Earth concert was hosted to save the world from carbon pollution that exacerbates global warming and Venus Williams was winning the Wimbledon Ladies Single trophy for the fourth time.

We must not forget that event two years ago that radically changed London and the country, however, with that at the back of our minds - This is London and it is business as usual.

London - this day

What terror what horror

As so a year has passed since the carnage of terror swept through the centre of London hitting the tubes and a bus.

London has suffered onslaught from the Blitz during World War II and terrorist bombings by the Irish Republican Army, nothing could have prepared the residents, workers and visitors for those rush hour blasts.

Of deeper concern is the fact that these terrorists were homegrown and lived in cities North of England and for chance or circumstance had developed such a hatred for their lives and those of others who due to their actions either died or were seriously injured.

Much analysis and commentary has gone into the menace of homegrown terrorists, the effects on the lives of victims and survivors and the changes to the landscape of our freedoms, liberties and interests.

Exactly two weeks after the first bombing there was another attempt but it all failed, however, in the process all participants in that scheme were apprehended, till a easy-going member of the public was chased down and mauled to pulp with at least 6 gun shots to the head.

Losing our heads could lose lives

Yes, the police would be jittery and prone to erroneous apprehending of suspects, but the "Shoot to kill" policy was a bit of an extreme reaction to a situation we later found out to be poorly assessed and reviewed.

So Jean Charles De Menezes of Brazil became the picture of what terror had brought to the city - people would have been in a quandary as which was the greater danger and fear - that of terrorists or that of policemen who are yet to do some serious thinking about their plans.

Then just about a month ago, two young men were assailed with one shot in a terrorist raid that brought up zilch - the brothers were released and it was not till the brothers had a news conference that the police found the magnanimity to offer an apology.

If there is one thing that appears to be lost after that terrorist attack, it is the ability for our law enforcement services to keep a level head, open mind and conduct calculated, determined and well-thought through operations to nab suspected terrorists.

Sometimes, the Muslim community must draw on reserves of goodwill and forbearance not to feel under siege.

Tough on the causes of terrorism

Finally, in 1994, Tony Blair promised to be tough on crime and the causes of crime, which offers an important premise to prevent prospects from becoming criminals, to this would should add the War on terror and the causes of terrorist acts.

These delve into deep social, economic, religious issues that would take a visionary leader to direct and bring to a place of confidence. The war on terror does not half begin to address the reasons for terrorism - the more we understand the better we would be able to anticipate, or even, the safer might become in our world.

London lives and breathes, scared by terror but rejuvenated like a phoenix rising from the ashes; we live in the hope that the city would never be visited again by such carnage.

To all who died and those suffered great pain - This is London and you will never be forgotten.