The recent attacks in Paris have understandably led to an outpouring of grief from across the world.

But should we be concerned at how society measures death in different ways.

We live in a technological age where we are able to garner information from a range of news sources within minutes of incidents taking place. It has made it more and more difficult for governments and media organisations to essentially ‘control’ what can and cannot be seen.

So, when an attack happens it is quite easy for the average person to see for him or herself other people’s reactions.

On Thursday a double suicide attack in Beirut killed 40 people. A day later gunmen went on the rampage in Paris.

The latter was a bigger and more important event. Not just because of the numbers killed but because it happened in Paris.

Even if less than ten people had been killed in Paris, the killings would be more important to us, our media and our political leaders.

Death and destruction in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq is a common occurrence and they are used to it. We are not.

Those who die in these areas are sadly living in the wrong place.

But why do we continue to measure death in these ways?

These are common arguments you are likely to hear in many Muslim communities.

Yes, we as Muslims condemn the actions of terrorists but at the same time we will use the opportunity to highlight how Muslims are also being killed in far flung corners of the earth.

I heard this argument almost immediately from Muslims on social media and in WhatsApp group forums.

I have to say I was not comfortable about some people were completely flippant over non-Muslims being killed.

But should they be made to feel guilty for saying this?

If you live in the west then you must face the fact that any death and killing taking place here should be mourned more than one elsewhere in the world.

If you want to show your loyalty not just to this country but also to western society you must condemn and then stay silent on any event suggesting that such deaths are linked to state sponsored terrorism.

This weekend the conversation privately amongst Muslims is one that draws parallels between barbaric terrorism on the streets of Paris and an airstrike that ‘mistakenly’ kills civilians.

Earlier this year a report claimed that US led airstrikes in Syria had killed over 400 civilians.

We are not permitted to draw such parallels. To do so in the current political climate seems to suggest you are being sympathetic to terrorists.

In fact you can well be labelled an ‘Islamist’ for even suggesting to draw parallels.

But you are not though. You are clearly stating a fact.

We mourn the loss of people we can in some way relate to but we do not mourn the loss of lives we have no connection with.

As Muslims we are also guilty of this very ignorance too. We are quick to point out Muslim deaths but not those of non-Muslims.

Being a good Muslim for some means they care for other Muslims more than all human beings.

And we are almost proud to admit this contradiction.