a time for introspection?

Setting off a bomb at a Marriott in Islamabad during Ramadan.
Who would do this?
Why would they do it?

“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”
Is this law of physics relevant when dealing with human emotion?

What was the target of the bomb?
-An American hotel, a symbol of American cultural and economic influence?
-Foreign tourists and pakistani elite who utilize it for corrupt activities?
-Pakistani employees who are guilty by association if they work there?
-or Pakistani patrons who should not to go to such places?
(for corrupt activities like wedding banquets and ramadan feasts or eating out at its restaurant)

If it was done to send a message, who was trying to send what message?
Was it a message to the American government?
Was it a message to the Pakistani President or government?
Was it a message to “the west” and its associates?
or Was it a message to certain Pakistanis?

based on my own feelings after the bombing of the world trade center,
I see a couple of possible reactions:

reaction #1
Pakistani people may react against those who claim to carry out the bombing...
-the Pakistanis may call for action by their military against these terrorists;
-maybe the people on the street will carry out vigilante mob justice;
-or welcome more American military activity rather then condemning it.

reaction #2
Pakistani people may react against the perceived cause of the bombing...
because the bombing itself is a reaction to some other thing, anger over that other thing which instigated such violence and desire to kill is possible...

fanatics (whether religious or political) who are blinded by hatred are indeed a minority and it is very difficult to get rid of them without you yourself becoming like them, but if you are not blind and arrogant you can see where their hate comes from. often their hate is rooted in a real injustice that is taking place or real vice that exists among the people they target.

It was strange that after the WTC bombing I was just as angry at our government as I was at those who carry out, promote, or justify terrorism.

But... anger is a vicious thing, often leading to nothing but more violence and death.
there is only one thing that can overcome anger.

reaction #3
compassion for the victims of such violence may outweigh an immediate desire for vengence, giving them a chance to think about the consequences for the course of any action against the criminals.

that poor soul who was walking with a limp through the rubble wearing a tie, blood on his face and what used to be a white shirt, pants torn up, seemed to be looking for someone to tell him...
"come here, let me treat your wounds, you will be OK, I'm here to help"

I think in the coming days we will see all of the above...
May Allah guide us to do what is right in this blessed month.