23 Jul, 2016 21:51

‘Never been more elusive’: Social media users call for peace after Kabul attack

Following the death of at least 80 people in a terrorist attack in Kabul, social media has been alight with both messages of sympathy as well as a critique of the lack of coverage the attack had received in mainstream media.

These attacks are going way to far now, it's sickening what happened in Kabul, pic.twitter.com/fXhU0M3ljW
— Jade xxx (@13SwxftMila) July 23, 2016

Sad to hear about Munich😞Meanwhile In #kabul 80 dead😖 #BrothersAndSistersIDontKnowWhatThisWorldisComingTo
— outlandish (@outlandishDK) July 23, 2016

Why do innocent people always have to pay the price of the greedy & incompetent ..

Pray for #Kabul ✊ pic.twitter.com/dtG3T0ArHM
— Mo 22 (@MoApaydin) July 23, 2016

Many noted how Afghanistan is a country keen for peace but has been unable to achieve this “elusive” goal.

This must be the deadliest attack to hit #Kabul in years. #Afghans are desperate for peace, yet it's never been more elusive. Very sad.
— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) July 23, 2016

Today it was #Kabul 😢
Getting used to violence is not an option, mourning together is. pic.twitter.com/h8cXbkAiDT
— Eli (@elicitizen) July 23, 2016

As is usually case following other attacks, the ‘Pray for’ hashtag was being used by many on social media to pass on their sympathies to the people of Kabul.

We are heart-broken by this news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the 60 people killed and over 200 injured from explosions in #Kabul. 💔
A photo posted by Selena Gomez News (@lifewithselgmz) on Jul 23, 2016 at 10:43am PDT

#iStandWithAfghanistan #PrayforKabul #PrayforMuslims #PrayforAfghanistan #afghanistan #Syria #peace #pray #stop #killing #innocents Few days ago a brother who supports #isis from Afghanistan was abusing other Muslim. SubhanAllah Isis is against all Muslims around the world, follow #Islam not #Isis
A photo posted by Alhamdulillah For Everything❤️ (@inaveeed) on Jul 23, 2016 at 10:41am PDT

#prayforkabul #prayforafghanistan #prayfortheworld #stoptheviolence
A photo posted by Juliana Verpa (@juliverpa) on Jul 23, 2016 at 10:49am PDT

#PrayforAfghanistan also began being promoted by social media users.

Can we not have to have this happen everyday #Kabul #PrayForAfghanistan pic.twitter.com/UUQzo9MXgb
— Jadie Mixer (@JadieThriller) July 23, 2016

#prayforafghanistan pic.twitter.com/KZ7M47ZkPN
— عبدالرحمن أبونبوت (@Ab_AN99) July 23, 2016

In a similar vein, an injured dove, the bird of peace, is seen with numerous plasters on its injured body following numerous terror attacks around the globe.

#Kabul mon coeur se déchire un peu plus et pleure... le monde est en berne! pic.twitter.com/EYa2Sbvnnz
— brevet viviane ✏✒ (@BreveteB) July 23, 2016

With less than 24 hours having passed since a shooting rampage left at least nine people dead in the German city of Munich, some questioned why there was so much media coverage of those events and yet Kabul didn’t seem to matter as much to media outlets and the broader social media community.

I saw outcry on my social media timelines after #Munich. There is now an eerie silence after #Kabul. No heartfelt messages for Afghans. Why?
— Dr. Craig Considine (@CraigCons) July 23, 2016

"Yeah I mean 61 people died, but the REAL tragedy is its not getting enough news coverage!!"

Priorities.#Kabul pic.twitter.com/dOaMohTJBT
— Curtis ✘ (@FowlSens) July 23, 2016

60 killed and 200 wounded
the media coverage? nonexistent b/c kabul isnt in europe or north america#prayforkabul 💔 pic.twitter.com/bUhdPKu6MK
— ㅤ (@alyciajdebnam) July 23, 2016

The lack of a response from political leaders around the world has also been questioned.

If this terror attack was in #Munich or #Paris you will see the media channels & worlds leaders cares #PrayForKabul pic.twitter.com/ocmdG74Ju8
— Yousef Mema (@Joo_Gaza) July 23, 2016

Video footage of the attack also emerged on Twitter in the aftermath of the attack, showing the moment the bomber attacked, as well as the devastation they caused in the city.