After bin Laden's death, New Yorkers attend a candlelight vigil on Long Island on Monday night for those who lost lives on 9/11. (AFP)
Osama bin Laden’s death, like his life, is already proving controversial. World leaders have been quick to laud his demise as well as remind and assure their people that the fight against terrorism does not end with one man’s death.
The speed with which bin Laden was buried, in accordance with Muslim tradition, and the fact that the Obama administration has not decided whether to release photographs, has lead some to doubt whether or not he was actually killed. Skepticism has come from all corners; from America, the Arab and Muslim world and from Afghanistan’s Taliban movement. In the Muslim world, many see this as a natural result of the suspicion with which American involvement in the Middle East and South Asia is often viewed. Shadi Hamid, director of research at the Brookings Center in Doha, Qatar told the WSJ:
“It’s not so much about bin Laden as it is about the U.S.,” Mr. Hamid said. “The U.S. has provided its narrative to the world—and the natural reaction of many people is to cast doubt on whatever the U.S. says.”
The way he was buried also has people divided. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised the mission but thought that they might have been overly sensitive to tradition in burying the body within 24 hours of death. Within Muslim communities there is debate over whether or not the burial actually adhered to Islam. Imam Khalid Latif, gives a persuasive argument of why bin Laden’s sea burial is in accordance with Islamic law because it takes wider society into account:
“Humanity on a whole has a right that needs to be considered in regard to bin Laden’s burial. Who would want this man buried next to their loved one? Is it appropriate, especially after he has caused such pain to so many, to put anyone in a situation where they might have to be buried near or next to him? I would say no.”
Some Americans, mostly young people gathered at Ground Zero and Times Square in New York and in front of the White House yesterday to celebrate bin Laden’s death, in a manner that made many uncomfortable. David Sirota wrote chanting “USA! USA! is the wrong response. Mona Eltahawy, a frequent contributor to the CG News Service was at Ground Zero on Monday and felt that the “frat boy” chants did little to dignify those who lost their lives. Recalling the uprisings across the Middle East she says:
“I’m not hearing sympathy for Bin Laden from Muslims and Arabs I know. They’re relieved he’s finally gone. But they’re understandably concerned that media obsession will let him hijack these noble revolutions. One man has been killed; dozens courageously staring down despots are slaughtered every day.”
What effects do you think Osama bin Laden’s death will have on the world?
There are two new movements aimed at changing the way we speak to and think about each other that you want to check out!
2011 Hours Against Hate is a campaign with the goal of countering bigotry and promoting tolerance across lines of culture, religion, class, origin, gender and race. It has be launched by Special Representative to Muslim Communities Farah Pandith, and Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Hannah Rosenthal. They spoke about the campaign in a town hall meeting hosted by George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs, on Friday.
Though both women work for the State department, they did not meet until after the foiled Time Square bombing, when Rosenthal came to Pandith to offer what help she could in mitigating possible backlash against Muslims. read more…
Are school children the solution to solving complex real world challenges?
A Terrorist Victim Isn’t Always Someone Else
Yesterday we wrote of the attack in Marrakesh. This article from CGNews is a reminder of the human consequences of violence and terrorism:
A policeman stands on the walls of the U.N. World Food Programme offices in Islamabad as smoke rises from the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack inside the compound in October 2009. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)
By Tahir Wadood Malik
Islamabad – Terrorism was something that happened to others.
Upon seeing news of another terrorist attack, I would simply change the channel. That is, until 5 October 2009, when I received a phone call that would change my life forever. The caller said that there had been a bomb blast in the office of the UN agency in Islamabad where my wife Gul Rukh worked. read more…
People gather in Djemma el-Fina Square, after the explosion. (Reuters)
A deadly explosion killed at least 15 people today in a Marrakesh Café that was popular with tourists. The café is located in Djemma el-Fina Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main square of Marrakesh, Djemma el-Fina attracts tourists and locals alike and was packed with people at lunchtime when the explosion occurred. At least 10 of those who died in the blast were French nationals and President Sarkozy condemned the attack as “odious, cruel and cowardly.”
Moroccan officials say the explosion was caused by a bomb but that it is too soon to say who is behind the attack. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has ordered a speedy inquiry into the attack.
During recent upheavals throughout North Africa, Morocco has remained relatively peaceful, indeed today attack was the country’s deadliest in eight years.
“We are all deeply saddened by the events in Marrakesh, and our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones,” says SFCG Morocco Country Director, Emma Reilly. “We hope that the Moroccan government’s response to this tragedy will reflect the great progress it has made towards democracy over the last decade, and that this terrorist attack will not be allowed to derail the current process of constitutional reform.”
King Mohammed VI has pressed for reforms since taking the throne and when Moroccans demonstrated earlier this spring, they called largely, not for regime change, but for more reforms and a faster timeline. The king responded with an announcement of constitutional revisions; voting on proposals is intended to take place in June.
Trouble in the Neighborhood – Syrian Protests
On Independence Day, April 17, demonstrators in the northern port of Baniyas call for more freedom, one day after President Assad promised to lift emergency laws. (Reuters)
Senior Advisor for the US-Syria Program at Search for Common Ground, Thomas Dine was featured in an Inter Press Service Article, Friends or Foes, Syria’s Neighbours Wary of Assad’s Ouster Analysis. The article suggests that Syria’s instability has already impacted Iran, Israel, Lebanon and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf as well as the future of the region.
Reflecting on the recent attacks directed at demonstrators in Syria, Dine explains his concerns about Syrian relations with both Israel and Iran.
Thomas Dine, who has been in charge of Track II talks between the U.S. and Syria for Search for Common Ground, a U.S. non-profit that tries to resolve conflicts, predicted continuity in Syrian foreign policy toward Lebanon and the Golan Heights but question marks over Israel and Iran. “The Iranians have to be more concerned than the Israelis since the good deal they have had with Syria may not last,” he said.
Analysts believe that the current protestors are too widespread to be entirely eliminated. However, outbursts of violence may also continue.
A regime change in Syria would “have major foreign policy implications,” and the Obama administration has escalated its rhetoric against the Syrian crackdown but has not called for Assad to step down as the U.S. has done with the leaders of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya. On Monday, the White House said it was considering new sanctions on individual Syrian human rights abusers.
Read the rest of the article here.
