The self-proclaimed Islamic State is weak because it relies on fear, Australian TV host Waleed Aly said Monday in a plea for unity in the wake of attacks in Paris that left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more injured.
In a passionate segment for The Project that has been widely shared on social media, Aly called the terrorist organization known as ISIS, or ISIL, a weak group that would be "crushed" if it ever faced a "proper army." Rather than real power, he added, the group relies on creating divisions to further its cause — Aly called on governments and citizens alike to resist that temptation.
"[ISIS] wants you to fear them. They want you to get angry. They want all of us to become hostile," Aly said in a video posted on Monday. "They want to start World War III. A global war between Muslims and everyone else. They want countries like ours to reject their Muslims and vilify them."
As politicians around the globe respond to the attacks in Paris with Islamophobic commentsand Europe's conversation about the refugee crisis turns to security, unity is key, said Aly.
"We all need to come together, I know how that sounds. I know it's a cliché, but it's also true because it's exactly what ISIL doesn't want," he said.
Aly, a broadcast journalist and a lecturer in Monash University's Global Terrorism Research Centre, said anti-Muslim sentiment only helps ISIS.
"If you're a member of Parliament or a has-been member of Parliament preaching hate, at a time when what we actually need is more love, you're helping ISIL. They have told us that," he said. "If you're a Muslim leader, telling your community they have no place here or a non-Muslim basically saying the same thing, you're helping ISIL. They have told us that," he said.
Many on social media responded to Aly's post with praise.
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