There are moments in our lives, and they are few, where our humanity comes face to face with a moral dilemma that challenges our soul, as individuals and as a people.

In 1940 during World War II humanity was challenged in Auschwitz. In Africa we faced a dilemma with the genocide in Sierra Leone, in Asia the massacre in Burma tested us, and today we face a new dilemma, the radicalization of the Middle East with an ideology that if left unaccounted could very well lead to the spread of a political system and a way of life that is at odds with the very nature of what it means to be born free.

And as we face this new dilemma we have one of two choices. Either we can be indifferent and stay silent in fear of persecution, ridicule or involvement beyond our comfort zone, or alternatively, we can stand on principles, show moral indignation and become engaged.

Having said that, taking on such a challenge often comes at a price but it is only in such circumstances that we realize who we are as individuals and what we value as a people.

And so it is needless to say that the natural state of (wo)man is to live in freedom from tyranny and oppression and with all the legal and moral rights on our side it is our duty to face such a challenge head on before it is too late.