Bethany Haines’ life has been shaped by the death of her father. As a 17-year-old, she watched a terror video where aid worker David Haines was beheaded by Isis killers. David’s atrocious murder came despite his work in Syria being driven by a determination to help others, no matter their colour or creed.
This week marks 10 years since David’s death but, sadly, extremism and terror remain a global threat. The creeping menace of Isis and other groups still exists. The response to this threat can be seen globally in the many organisations that advocate peace and tolerance.
But other, sinister groups have also grown in influence that seek to use the atrocities of Isis to create disharmony and promote hatred. The far-right rhetoric we see by the likes of Tommy Robinson is a clear attempt to use the threat of terror to demonise minorities in the UK.
But Bethany, like many other victims of global terror, refuses to let the hatemongers win. She has bravely and unequivocally taken the opposite stance.
In today’s Daily Record, Bethany says she will never let her anger over her dad’s death spill over into antagonism for Muslims or asylum seekers. In fact, she has devoted her life to helping those fleeing war in the troubled Middle East region.
Bethany should be commended for making the tenth anniversary of her dad’s death a time for spreading a message of peace.
Loch elsewhere
One way or another, the Flamingo Land Loch Lomond saga will be coming to an end next week. National Park bosses will vote to decide if the controversial £40million development will go ahead.
The plan would see a 46-acre tourism resort built in Balloch with hotels, forest lodges, restaurants, shops, a water park, a monorail and more – on a stunning landscape vital to Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage.
Of course, it’s vital the park authority listens to all voices on this issue. But they certainly can’t ignore the 150,000 people who oppose the proposal.Nor the coalition of respected wildlife and environmental groups who have long argued against the plan.
Officials at the park authority have already recommended to board members, ahead of Monday’s hearing and vote, that the bid is simply too large and potentially damaging to go ahead.
That is the correct recommendation and the park authority needs to take heed and reject this damaging plan. The Bonnie Banks are one of Scotland’s greatest national treasures – they need to stay that way.
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