Summary
Iraqi government troops and Kurdish fighters started military operations to recapture Mosul from IS in the early hours of Monday. Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, was seized by IS in June 2014. An Iraqi military source told the BBC that their attacks were operated well at the moment. IS-linked news agency, Amaq, reported information about their military actions, but IS has not made an official comment. However, the situation is further complicated. The battle between not only Iraqi-government and IS but also Sunni Arabs and Shia Arabs are occurred. Also, Mosul is the diverse city including Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmens and a variety of religious minorities. In short, It has become confusing.
Opinion
Religious conflicts are very serious and sensitive questions because religion is deeply related to people’s mind which cannot be changed easily. Nevertheless, one thing we have to keep in mind is that not all extreme or sensational actions are concerned with religion. For example: Although IS has made some terrible actions, Islam is not necessarily bad. Not all Muslims are cruel. Furthermore, another thing I want to say is that Japanese people ought to have more interest with religion. Sometimes Japanese people say that it is important for us to be tolerant to other religions. But I want to ask them: Do you know how profound religions are? Do you know how high “the mental wall” between one religion and others? I cannot answer.