On Osama #OBL
Today is a day like any other.
I wake up. I drink coffee. I get breakfast ready.
I check my e-mail.
This is weird. An e-mail from a friend says she’s thinking of me.
Huh.
Oh-kaay.
Another e-mail from Mike in response to ideas for our next episode says something to the effect of, “We could talk about what happened in the news this past weekend.”
More huh.
A quick conversation at preschool drop off reveals what I would have found out at around 10:30 a.m. when I normally catch up on the weekend news.
Navy SEALS stormed a mansion in Pakistan and shot Osama bin Laden dead, and DNA evidence seems to confirm that it was, in fact, really him.
Oh.
OOHHH.
Except.
I feel nothing.
Not a thing.
Not joy, not sadness, not relief, not fear.
Nothing.
I feel bad that I don’t feel anything.
I feel like I should feel something, you know?
But, I don’t.
The rest of the day is spent wondering why I don’t feel anything. The rest of the day is spent trying to assign meaning to this event. The rest of the day was essentially spent living in my head and stressing myself out.
Because, for me, this doesn’t really change anything. Not a thing. Today went by like yesterday. Tomorrow will be more of the same.
Forgive me, I don’t mean that this should mean nothing to everyone. I mean that it means nothing to me.
I understand that for the people in New York City, for the survivors of the WTC, soldiers and their families and the families of those lost at the WTC, that this is a day that must hold closure. I understand that, I acknowledge that, I respect that, and I am grateful if this event brings some sense of peace to them.
But, for me? All I can think about is how this means very little in the grand scheme of things. I’m not just talking about foreign policy, the “War on Terror,” or Al Qaeda.
I’m talking about it all.
Everyone’s life has one beginning and one ending. What happens in the middle is so important. Every moment, every choice and every value affects us.
Today, I thought about a young Osama bin Laden playing pick up soccer games in Saudi Arabia when he was a teenager. I thought about him becoming disaffected with the nation he was brought up in when political expedience transpired against his personal moral code.
I thought about how he answered this dissatisfaction by answering what he believed to be a “higher calling” when he became a mujahideen in Afghanistan, fighting against the Russians… with the Americans.
I thought about all the moments that led up to Osama bin Laden’s total and unrelenting commitment to his world view.
I thought of the demon who whispered in his heart under the guise of the Almighty and told him that the costs associated with victory of his world view were necessary, and that they had to be done.
Tonight, I’m thinking about Osama bin Laden’s dead body lying on the floor of some mansion in north Pakistan, and, finally, I feel sadness.
RELAX, I’m not sad for Osama bin Laden.
(But, if you are, I get that. But. You know. I’m not.)
Frankly speaking, outside of the people who have been directly affected by the act of violence at the World Trade Center or are in the midst of being shot at in Afghanistan and Iraq, I have been affected by this man and all that he represents in the most egregious of manners.
Where once I was just an American, I am now a Muslim American.
Where I was once trusted, I now feel suspect.
Where I was once blissfully ignored, I am now meticulously examined.
Where I was once unquestioningly part of my own community, I am regarded as an apologist for trying to bridge gaps in understanding.
In the best case scenarios, where I was simply once pretty much just like you except for all that ham eating, not fasting during Ramadan and such, I have now become, “See, they’re not all like that, some of them are pretty much just like us.”
So, no, I don’t feel sad that Osama bin Laden is dead because of Osama bin Laden.
I feel sad because the demon that whispered to Osama bin Laden still lives. And, no, Pollyanna, I’m not talking about Islamic fundamentalism.
As I hear of people singing ding dong the witch is dead, I realize that we are so damned far off from understanding the real lesson here that it’s simply dangerous.
What is it that makes me so sad?
I wonder.
Do you think Osama bin Laden called himself a radical Islamist? I don’t.
I think he called himself a plain old Muslim, just like I call myself a plain, old (okay, not so old) Muslim.
The difference between Osama and me, of course, is that I don’t think that every person who lives on this planet besides me that isn’t a Muslim is somehow inferior or deserving of less compassion than myself or other Muslims. The difference between Osama and me is that I lack the self righteousness, the arrogance and the coldness of spirit that allowed him to walk a path that I suspect he never intended to walk in the beginning.
On this day, that for me started and finished like any other, I wonder if you will do me the favor of considering the following:
If you ask a racist if they are a racist, they will generally say no.
This is also true, I suspect, of xenophobes, homophobes, and others who choose intolerance over inclusion.
I think this is the case because their awareness is shrouded by unwavering belief that a choice is not a choice, but rather a moral certainty that must be upheld, defended and fought for no matter what the cost.
No matter WHAT the cost.
So, yes, I am saddened on this day.
But not by that which has died, but by that which still lives.
117 Responses to On Osama #OBL
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I was only glad when, at the end of the day, while driving my 4-year-old home from school, I realized this makes it a little less likely I’ll deploy a 4th time. And that made me happy.
@muskrat, That makes me very happy, too. XO
Amazing as usual.
@Sahar, Thanks, love.
I’ve been struggling with how little emotion I’ve felt over the death of “our enemy”. Neither sadness nor joy. Just an empty feeling. And I’m someone who was affected by the events on 9/11 a great deal. I just don’t know how to feel about this, 10 years later. I need a handbook or something to figure it out.
@B.E. Earl, A handbook would be good.
As a devout Muslim born in Pakistan, raised in Saudi Arabia, and now living in Canada, this is exactly what I needed to read. I had a hard time figuring out my feelings and putting them into the right words. This post did it for me.
Thanks, Faiqa.
@Avishan, You’re very welcome, I’m glad you found value here.
Thank you so much for this.
@Karianna, You’re welcome, thanks for letting me know you appreciated it.
Oh, this is so spot on. Such a great perspective. I LOVE that you shared it.
@Bejewell, Thanks, I appreciate that.
Ah, precious one, and I AM sad. For who he was on the day he was born. For the hatred that enveloped him and engulfed us and, as you said, lives on. Really, in EVERY one of us somewhere.
@Nanna, That’s what I meant. yes.
So aptly put, Faiqa. Thank you for these words.
@Mahreen from Veni Vidi Blogi, You’re welcome, I’m glad you found it valuable.
I’ve tried to pinpoint my feelings about Bin Laden’s death for the last 24 hours.
Thank you for putting into words what I’ve been thinking.
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], You’re welcome. Anytime you need things put into words, I’m your guy. Girl. Woman. Muslim. What were we talking about…
It’s disturbing to me that you used my very words. Words I wish I hadn’t said.
Last night I posted “Ding Dong” in reaction to the celebrations. I was so bothered to see that kind of reaction. The mob mentality. What I was saying in disdainful irony, is now some sort of cheer.
I am shocked that people feel this has accomplished anything. Can I fly without a full body scan now? Have they given back my hijacked civil liberties? Have “the bad guys” turned tail and given up?
Of course not. This victory is no victory at all.
Absolutely, The Evil is still lurking. But to label it so singularly is surely the most foolish thing a person can do.
I’m sad today too. Sad and worried about the repercussions for doing unto others as was done to us.
@Annabelle, I guess that “ding dong” thing is an inevitable conclusion? Or great minds?
When I heard that he’d been killed, I felt nothing but I have been flooded with emotions throughout the day as I have watched people react to the news and then criticize and attack each other for their reactions. So, I am sad today too, not for Osama Bin Laden, but for a country and world that continues to be so polarized.
@Vikki, Yes.
As I watched people celebrating and cheering outside the White House, I was struck at how hedonistic it seemed.
And since then I’ve been examining my thoughts and my heart to try to figure out why I don’t think it is okay to rejoice at his death. Or anyone’s death.
@Jason, Yes, I agree.
I understand. As I looked at my partner last night I said “what does this mean for us??” not just America, but all of us… Then my mom called in a panic because my brother is overseas on a missions trip, and now I’m worrying about him. I will continue to wonder.
~Becca
@Becca, My thoughts and prayers are with your brother.
I remember feeling numbness last night as I heard the announcement — and then irritation when I realized that my TV viewing had been pre-empted. (Can we say that I invested two months into watching “The Next Great Restaurant” only to not be able to see the finale?)
And then I woke up today and thought as I saw the news footage, “How can I revel in the death of another person?” I thought to myself, “We have tried to portray ourselves as being morally superior.” And that footage was so much not so. Nor were the various posts I read on Facebook. And once more I lost faith in people. Then this evening I read posts like yours and I know that all is not lost.
@Kailyn, Sigh, thank you, my friend, this meant a lot.
As a New Yorker who barely survived 9/11 mentally, I was quite relieved last night. To me, Bin Laden’s death gave (some sort of) closure to the thousands of family members of people who lost their lives on 9/11 and the thousands of survivors who still deal with the fallout of what happened, including people I know and love. My loyalty will ALWAYS be with them and not with Bin Laden, regardless of whatever hand our foreign policies had in things.
However, I woke up this morning with a deeper pit in my stomach than ever before because like you said….this doesn’t change anything. As a matter of fact, the political climate will probably become even more polarized than it already is. Add to it that Bin Laden was somebody’s family member (despite his beliefs) and I feel a little damned.
Damned if I do, damned if I don’t, that is.
@Robin, I agree with you as a fellow New Yorker. I spent many hours pressed up against my phone, praying that my friends and relatives in Manhattan, specifically those who worked in and around the Trade Center would answer. 72 hour straight, I sat, glued to the television, tears hot and streaming, aching to get on a plane and back home to New York. An exercise in futility as all planes were grounded and the roads in and out of New York were sealed off. It was one of the longest, sickest wait periods of my life. I thought when this day finally arrived, I would feel some sort of vindication. I would feel relieved. I feel none of those things. I simply feel sad…because the reality is, this ended nothing. Even the people that I know who lost family members all agree that this has not brought them any closure whatsoever. If anything, it has brought them back to a place of fear and anxiety that they have since tucked away neatly in a box in order to cope with their day to day lives. They are afraid now, all over again, because they know that retaliation will come once again. We don’t know when. We don’t know where. We don’t know how. That uncertainty plays on your brain and once again, they find themselves living in fear as they relive the worst possible day of their lives.
I hate this feeling in my stomach and heart right now. It makes my blood run cold. I get where you are…completely. Stay safe.
@Robin, I don’t think you should feel damned… I don’t know that anyone should. In the end, those who live by the sword are bound to die by it. That is their choice and the consequences are inherent.
@Robin, instead of feeling sorry for his family members yu should be concentrating more on the horrid deaths he commanded on innocent children, women, just innocent people,,for nothing…and the horrid effects on the families left behind…thats the families u should be concentrating on..His family is probably glad to rid of him…He was not a person he was a BEASTLY DEMON…who CHOSE his way…as WE ALL DO…IM GLAD THAT LUCIFERS FOLLOWER IS DEAD….ONE LESS DEMON TO WORRY ABOUT. just another Hitler…
@Mary Smith, Um…re-read my post. Kay? Thanks
Thank you for giving words to the thoughts floating through my head today. This said it best of all.
@Aisha, You’re welcome and thank you for finding it valuable enough to pass on.
You have expressed what I have been feeling all day long so beautifully. I have spent most of my day fighting with people who feel they are entitled to run into the street shrieking “Hooray” at the top of their lungs. Sure, they are entitled to feel as I do. However, many of the intimated that I was perhaps, less than Patriotic because my feeling is that no death warrant celebration, unless it is the death of someone who wants sweet release from their life after suffering a painful, excruciating life, be it mentally or physically. I am not going to cheer for our country today in victory, for to me, this is a very somber occasion. I am also not naive enough to believe that this is going to end the war, bring our troops home or think this puts a notch in our “win” column. If anything, we are now going to start a new, perhaps more horrific chapter of this never ending war. Tensions will run higher than ever as brand new radicals will seek the top dog position, vying for it by playing a game of who can do the most damage to America first.
No, this is not a victory or a day to celebrate. This is a bittersweet close to one single chapter of our history. I admit to feeling ambivalent to some degree. I am not nearly as optimistic as others are. Plus, I don’t believe we did the right thing here. I feel the right thing would have been to capture him, extradite him back to our country to stand trial for war crimes and other atrocities and then, convict him in a court of law as opposed to the court of public opinion.
But, perhaps that is another post for another day.
I will be sharing this post with my friends in hopes that they will understand that saying things like “one sand nigger down, a thousand more to go,” is hateful, disgusting, in poor taste and hurtful to people from the middle east…like beautiful you and my more than amazing husband.
I have to admit. I have seen shades of ugly coming from people I have always thought to be very intelligent, articulate, level headed people. I don’t like it. I forgive them, because I do know this is an emotionally charged issue for many.
Regardless, it hurts hearing it. I know how much my husband suffers as a middle eastern man, albeit an Israeli one, when he is traveling two or three times a month. He is pulled out of security lines due to his Syrian name, his skin color and his “look.” He has been accosted and interrogated in airports by fanatics who reported him for speaking in a “strange language” into his cellphone. That “strange language” was Hebrew…and he was talking to his mother. I hurt for so many middle easterners who did not sign up for this, who do not endorse this and who do not support this.
Sorry for running on. Maybe I am not as ambivalent as I first assumed.
Great post, Faiqa. Thank you.
@CP, I’m not sure we had a choice but to kill him. I have no doubt he would have never been taken alive.
@CP, Thanks for sharing it. I think extradition would have been good, but sometimes what is good is not politically expedient.
I’m like you; I don’t feel differently than I did before, but I get the symbology of the news for many.
@SciFi Dad, Right.
You’re right, the death of UBL changes nothing. The life of UBL changed everything. And change is never, ever comfortable.
The man who was directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans, indirectly responsible for the deaths or injury of thousands more has been dealt with. He was the tiny, little snowball that launched himself downhill and became an avalanche. I don’t agree with the celebrations, but I vividly remember the video that UBL released post 9/11 showing himself and his cohorts celebrating the destruction of the towers. The celebrations here my have meant closure for some but what did that celebration way back then mean to him?
If anything has come of all this, it’s that Americans, as a whole, are more “aware” than ever before. It has divided us in some senses, but, it has also got us thinking as a whole. I think it leaves us open to education. At least I hope it does…
@Nyt, I think it leaves us open to education. I think this is an excellent point, and I hope so as well.
This was beautiful – and very brave, Faiqa.
@Miss Britt, I try.
In a way I’m glad he has been taken care of. I was pregnant with my son when 9/11 happened and I wept for the world he was going to be born into, but now I am worried about the future, a future where ONL will held up as a martyr for people who still wish us harm. I don’t celebrate death, I celebrate life, but I can’t summon tears for him. It’s not in me to do so!
@Blondefabulous, Oh, I certainly do not shed tears for him, so I understand that.
I’m not sad, but I’m not happy. I am worried.
@Fantastagirl, I can understand that… it makes sense to feel that way.
I too was at a loss of any distinct feeling yesterday morning. I read all my the posts on facebook and I found myself getting all wrapped up in a bundle of emotions that were not my own. I was searching to “feel” something and I took on others as my own in order to feel something… As the day edged on, I started to wake up from the numbness that normally accompanies me when I learn of a death. I opened my eyes and woke up to the hate talk, conspiracy theories, the arguments back and forth, the lack of unity in something that was suppose to make us feel so “united”. I lost “friends” yesterday over differences of opinion, I was saddened by people I thought were decent human beings for years until I saw their words of hate pouring onto my computer screen. I have always been proud of myself and my mother for teaching me tolerance. But one thing I will not tolerate is ignorance. I refuse to let the negativity and intolerance of others consume me. I will move on from this day having learned that revenge is not always sweet and that an eye for any eye isn’t usually what we envisioned.
Thank you for sharing your words and allowing me to do the same. Peace be unto you, peace be unto us all.
@Donna Johnpier, This was a lovely comment. Thank you for sharing it here.
I feel that we’ve opened a can of worms. I feel afraid for my child. I wonder what this means for him. Whether this has extended a war that is longer than his life, or shortened it.
I feel sick to see people reveling in the streets. The same sick feeling I get when I see Islamic militants reveling in the streets.
In two days have read so much hate pointed at Obama. At Bush. At Muslims. Hate, hate, hate. It’s disgusting.
Love to you, today and every day. You are good and beautiful and I am so grateful for your voice that touches so many.
@Lora, Thank you, my friend, you, too, are good and beautiful. It takes one to know one, yes?
if i was motivated to post on my blog, clearly i felt something.
but it wasn’t the happiness i watched on tv, it was more of a “way to go, guys. it might have taken a long time, but well done. just don’t relax as this is far from over.”
sadly, it does still live.
@hello haha narf, A valid point, indeed.
You shouldn’t have felt bad, because clearly you and I are amongst the many who felt nothing at the news of his death. My fury came in how so many people responded, and the sadness which you so eloquently addressed.
@Tara, Thank you, it’s good to know I wasn’t alone on this.
I, too, felt nothing and wasn’t sure if that was ok. Thanks for posting this
@Aalia, Thank you for responding to it.
Thank you.
I felt nothing at hearing the news. And then? I felt guilt for not feeling anything because surely I *should* feel *something*…
and yet? I didn’t. There was no need to celebrate, there was no sense of relief, there was no vindication.
There was just “huh, ok, they say he’s dead.”
I have to admit that yesterday I waited and watched for you to write something. I wanted to know what your thoughts were, what your feelings were on this whole thing… And then? I felt guilty about that too… the whole “Looking to Faiqa to see what a Muslim thinks about today…”
So, thank you. Thank you for finding the grace and eloquence to put all of the conflicting emotions everyone shared into words we all could read and agree with.
@Becky, I know that you know that I’m not representative, but one drop in a vast ocean of opinion. Because of that, you needn’t feel bad about looking to me. I will always be here to answer your questions/searches to the best of my ability.
And here I was waiting for your opinion on the royal wedding.
@Avitable, I think William should have gone with RAF uniforms, but that’s just me.
I was thinking about Bin Laden as a kid, too, actually. How he at some point, was just some kid with parents and a huge family and at some point, something clicked and filled him with hate. I’m not sorry he’s dead, but I wasn’t gleeful or clapping about his death. It was such a weird mix of emotions. (I did, however, love how the Seals went in and did the whole thing, but I’m a complete sucker for that kind of stuff.)
But no need to tell me hate still exists – I went to a shit town this weekend and of course some Aryan Brotherhood guy was alllll over me, even when I repeatedly told him he was an idiot for believing what he believed. Fricking SCARY. (HE wasn’t scary – just his sad, ignorant beliefs.)
@Sybil Law, I watched Gangland the other night. The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas episode was CRAZY.
My first thought after turning off the DVD player, on which we’d been watching Season 2 of “Californication,” was “Huh. We got got him.” I really haven’t moved much from that feeling.
As for the rest… didn’t they say on “Dinosaurs” (old TV show) that WAR stood for We Are Right?
@Megan, Now I have to go Google the show…
Love this! I didn’t really feel much about his death either until I read this. And I think you perfectly said how I feel, as well. Brava!
@Bre, Thanks, hon.
?”I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that” MLK, Jr
@Momma, When in doubt… look to the King. Love that quote.
@Faiqa,The thing is: when I saw pictures of people dancing with joy in the streets at obl’s death, it reminded me of those in muslim extremist countries ALSO dancing in the street on Sept. 11th. Leaves a bad taste.
Having said all that, I most certainly don’t celebrate his life by any means. Let God deal with him, I feel a certain satisfaction knowing he’s NOT enjoying paradise with all that means in whatever tradition.
@Momma, I thought of the same thing when I heard about the dancing.
@Faiqa, The internet is a dangerous place…
http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/05/03/quotes.twain.mlk/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn
@RW, Well. They were good quotes anyway.
@RW, I had an uneasy feeling the quote wasn’t from MLK, but, so what???? You get the picture
I’ll be honest- this post upsets me.
I don’t begrudge you not feeling anything at the news of bin Laden’s death, everyone’s reaction is their own, but I don’t understand this:
“Today, I thought about a young Osama bin Laden playing pick up soccer games in Saudi Arabia when he was a teenager. I thought about him becoming disaffected with the nation he was brought up in when political expedience transpired against his personal moral code.
I thought about how he answered this dissatisfaction by answering what he believed to be a “higher calling” when he became a mujahideen in Afghanistan, fighting against the Russians… with the Americans.
I thought about all the moments that led up to Osama bin Laden’s total and unrelenting commitment to his world view.”
Soviets. Ahem.
But I do find the references to his playing soccer, to his becoming disaffected, to his “personal moral code and even to his being a Muslim deeply upsetting.
Because as a terrorist, I don’t think he deserves that kind of a montage.
Also, you write that you get it that someone would be upset about bin Laden’s death. Really? Because I don’t get that at all.
I was in New York on September 11, so maybe it’s different for me. Maybe because I will never forget what downtown Manhattan smelled like for weeks afterwards. But I always thought that no matter where a person was on that day, they felt the attack against our whole country.
And bin Laden’s death seems right. Not closure, because there is no closure to September 11, but certainly not something to grieve or eulogize. No matter how measured the language.
@Marinka, I’m sorry that I upset you. That was never my intent. I suppose it’s inevitable, though, that when dealing with subject matter of this type, that someone will be upset and that it will be rightly so.
Though you may not believe me, I do understand what you mean and how you’re feeling.
The thing is, I’m not trying to eulogize him.
I see these things as facts: he played pick up soccer games, he followed what he believed to be a calling, and he erred horribly in his judgment of right and wrong. In the end, I believe that he was a human being, and I was simply referring to that.
His being a terrorist, in my opinion, doesn’t preclude his humanity. I am so aware of the fact that this is an upsetting belief to many people, but it is the value upon which my life and character is built. I feel like not talking about his actions in human terms is antithetical to who I am… that is, a person that believes that most people’s choices are motivated by what they perceive to be good intentions. I realize this is optimistic at best, and just plain stupid at worst. But this is who I am.
I also am wary of an approach that singularizes his behavior as wholly deviant from the rest of humanity. I believe that a fundamentalist lives in every person, whether it comes to fruition in violence or terror is directly proportional to a person’s level of compassion, understanding and self awareness. Again, my intent is not to upset you with my beliefs, but to express them.
In terms of people who feel bad that he’s died, I’m referring to various people who have referenced this idea of seeing humanity in even the most seemingly inhumane of people and the translation of that sight into compassion or sympathy. I do not feel that because, yes, I felt the whole country was attacked on that day. I have also felt my parent’s homeland attacked by the ideology that he promoted, so double points for me on that one.
In the end, I think we diverge on this point because of an inherent perception we have of people. I don’t for one second think that you are wrong in the way that you feel, nor do I judge you for it. It is a viable, justified, and reasonable alternative to my point of view. My post wasn’t an attempt to promote my feelings, or to eulogize bin Laden but simply to express how I felt and my sadness at the fact that what motivated him exists to such an extent that people are blinded to it when it exists within them.
All that said, thank you, my friend for showing me enough respect to disagree with me in this forum in a respectful way. Again, I would never intentionally upset someone who I respect so much, so I’m sorry if you were hurt by anything here.
@Faiqa, I adore you.
Despite our disagreement, and maybe a little because of it.
@Marinka, The feeling is incredibly mutual my friend. I’m really bad about sticking in extraneous adverbs. Sorry. It just feels right, you know?
@Marinka,
Wow. I agree with Marinka down to the last bit. Maybe because I can visualize the smoke we were able to see from the window in our school (In Brooklyn!) for weeks after 9/11. Or the face of classmates whose father worked in the tower or Uncle and Aunt died on the plane that crashed into it.
These lines could have been written by me:
“But I always thought that no matter where a person was on that day, they felt the attack against our whole country.
And bin Laden’s death seems right. Not closure, because there is no closure to September 11, but certainly not something to grieve or eulogize. No matter how measured the language.”
I read you blog and love it- usually every single word, but here I’d also like to respectfully disagree. For me- the death of OBL compares to the death of Hitler. It doesn’t end the hate of a nation, but it ends the life of a gigantic, hate spewing, murder causing generator. And for that I rejoice. Not in the “dancing in the streets” manner necessarily, but rejoice nonetheless.
@InternetFriend, I appreciate your taking the time to comment, and appreciate the respectful disagreement.
I will say, it’s kind of strange to me that I never once said that people should not be happy in this post nor did I say that I begrudge anyone that does. Yet, it seems like I’m being placed under scrutiny because I *don’t* feel happy. Just because I respect justice doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.
I do hope you read my response to Marinka, as well. The overall point here was not to eulogize or humanize this man, but to remind people that there is more to be done… not only with respect to terrorism, but with respect to inward reflection.
@Faiqa,
I definitely did read your response. And I still consider you and your blog to be wonderful!
I just assumed everyone (in USA, of course) felt *some* happiness on hearing the news, that’s all.
@InternetFriend, Thanks… I can understand why you would make that assumption. I kind of elaborated on the feelings I had in the episode of the HTMH podcast that released today. It’s kind of like Mike said, it’s a head nod to me… “like, okay, this big thing that needed to be done is done… what’s next?” ANYway, one of the great things about our Internet friendship is that despite our disagreements, we still are friends, right? Your friendship means a lot to me, I know that it’s a big deal for you to comment in the first place, so I appreciate it no matter what.
I am happy he is dead. I feel no regret or sorrow over that. I am not bothered by it nor will I lose any sleep now or later.
I don’t believe that his death will end terror but the attempts didn’t stop after 9/11 either. I think that this is far more complicated than people realize.
That doesn’t mean that it is wrong to disagree or that we shouldn’t discuss this because we should.
I don’t know what it means to be Muslim because I am not but I do understand in some respects what it means to be judged and measured by the actions of other Jews.
As a Jew I am often ‘consulted’ about how I feel when Israel does XYZ or PDQ. I was born and raised in the U.S. I have a lot of family and friends in Israel so I am interested in what happens, but I don’t vote in their elections.
Yet if something controversial happens people look to me for an opinion or answers.
They ask me to “represent” on lots of things that might be questionable for me to be a part of.
All that is a long winded way of saying that I appreciate why it would seem strange to Faiqa to have people ask her about this.
But getting back to Bin Laden, well I’ll talk politics for a moment. I think that it feels uncomfortable to many people in the West to celebrate his death because it feels immoral. Maybe it is.
But in lots of places the world operates from a very different mindset than here.
@Jack @ TheJackB, I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with being happy, you know. It just makes me uneasy, that’s all.
Although, i didn’t feel any emotion when i heard the news, i did think of what types of impacts this milestone may have–as discussed over dinner last night–
- what does this mean to the USA/ Pakistan relationship?
- will Al Qaeda slowly dwindle away because their leader is dead or does someone else emerge?
- does the funding for these organizations slow down because the co-founder & CEO is gone and the venture capitalists don’t trust new management?
- does this milestone just turn out to be a campaign tool for the next election?
What the — is wrong with you??
@tariq, That is so you. Love it. The venture capitalist thing is a bit much… but funny.
@tariq, Well, Tariq, I can’t imagine that US/Pakistan relations will be improved as a result. It’s a situation in which there’s really nothing for Americans to say except we regret the violation of Pakistani sovereignty, but we were obligated to act. You can, however, rest in the comfort of knowing that Pres. Obama did not order this mission; in fact, Valerie Jarrett tried to block it. More if you ask me on this matter.
Wow! Very powerful and true! I am sad for the same reason!
@Alecia @ Hoobing Family Adventures, Thank you, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in the way I feel.
Nice post…interestingly enough, I’m sure you know where I stand on this. To clarify, I LITERALLY sang “Ding Dong the witch is dead.”
My reason not being revenge as much as that I am that arrogant a-hole who is a fundamentalist in his anti-fundamentalism. Osama dead is one less imbecile blocking the path of rational thinking.
@Zia Khan, I agree.
And another thing…Life is a gift and a privilege. It is not a right.
It takes a tremendous amount of work to make a life. It takes tremendous amount of time and effort to save a life. Unfortunately, it takes seconds to take a life. That sucks.* However, it gives us some perspective on how precious life is.
Osama took thousands of lives in a matter of minutes. It is a shame that he cannot die a thousand times over. Anyone who has such little respect for life should be killed immediately.
@Zia Khan, This post wasn’t about whether he deserved to die or not. Just to clarify, I think his death was an act of justice.
Thanks for an amazing post Faiqa.
@Lisa Stone, You’re very welcome and I’m honored you found value in it.
Wow… This is beautiful.
@Angela Giles Klocke, Thank you.
This is a beautiful post. I am not a Muslim, but I have been having the same thoughts of doubt and confusion about the whole event. I can’t, in good faith, condone the jubilant celebration over anyone’s death, but there is some peace in knowing Osama is dead. On the other hand, I fear what retaliation this may cause, what new war this may start. I, like you, recognize how much evil still lives in the world and how much work we–collectively, all of us–have ahead of us to end it. Hate comes in many forms, this particular variation of being a radical “Muslim” is just one. I think exactly what you have done here by surfacing these issues and discussing them, even–perhaps especially–without having an answer is exactly what all of us need to do all the time.
@Dashing Gray, Thank you for expressing your feelings here, I appreciate it.
Thank you for this very well written post. It sums up how I felt without me even realizing why. I saw so many rejoicing and I kept thinking “does this really change anything? It’s not like he has a corner on the market for crazy”. I wish that people understood that crazy is crazy whether the person speaking is “on your side” or not.
@Merry120, I wish that people understood that crazy is crazy whether the person speaking is “on your side” or not. This is the exact point of my post. A plus plus for getting it. Thank you.
While there should not be a celebration like this when someone dies, this particular death did deserve “dancing in the streets”. Why ? Because hopefully now the American Military will leave all Muslim countries since they do not have to search for Osmam bin Laden anymore. Muslims do not want us there anyway. We will take all our American money with us when we leave and park it back in the US where it belongs. This country cannot afford to support the world any longer. I can’t wait to welcome our troops back home to American soil.
Osama’s death sure means a lot to those who serve in our military and their families and everyone affected by 9/11. Hopefully not one more US soldier will return missing parts or in a flag draped casket. That’s not likely but one can sure hope, can’t they?
@Nancy J, I am certainly with you on hoping that our American soldiers return home safe and alive.
I do want to point out that the most recent numbers on foreign aid suggest that 1% of our budget is spent on total foreign aid. Some of that goes to “non-Muslim” countries, whatever that means.. The figure was about 1.8 billion last year. Do you know how much was spent bailing out banks last year? 100 billion. Respectfully, I think if your concern is our “dollars” and what they’re being spent on, you may be looking at the wrong culprit.
@Faiqa, There is growing concern that the government of Pakistan knew that Osama bin Laden was hiding in Abbottabad all along and for that reason the US Goverment did not involve them in the raid. Why might Pakistan hide/ignore or not divulge that fact that he was hiding there? Because they are receiving more than a billion US dollars a year in aide and of course our soldiers are spending money while they are in their country. We are sure to hear much more about this particular controversy in the future. No amount of money can compensate a person when their loved one returns home in a casket and no amount of money can put back a blown off arm, leg or eye. No amount of money can repair a badly damaged brain and this country can’t seem to afford to give these returning wounded military the kind of care that they deserve. The billions of dollars in aide to these countries will go a long way to helping those who returned home so damaged. That is why we need it all back here.
@Nancy J,
I’m not sure why you felt the need to add that no amount of money can compensate for those lost or damaged as a result of these conflicts. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that. I know that. That’s a given.
Your point about Pakistan is an excellent one and one that I agree with. I believe that the Pakistani government is now a wholly corrupt entity that cannot be trusted. I think they knew exactly where he was, and were holding out on capturing him so they could make themselves look good. It’s kind of disgusting. So, yes, with respect to your point about not sending *them* aid, I concur. In terms of other nations, I think evaluation on a case by case basis is more prudent.
The way you describe the young Bin Laden reminds me of thoughts I’ve had about various criminals and idiots over the years — what happened to them as a child? What must a parent feel when their child grows into a monster?
All I can do is look at these poor examples of wasted life and hope that I’m doing a better job of parenting than their folks did.
I didn’t chant in the street when Bin Laden died, but I may have slept a little bit better. It’s a start.
@Whit, I do the same thing… with the childhood. Also, I never sleep well at night. But, that’s neither here nor there.
I felt awe and respect for the capability of the Amercian troops. Finding an “Osama”, so well-hid “behind” his two women, children…and others; ready to flee on a moment’s notice; possibly assisted by people in the Pakistani Army – and then carrying out such an operation with minimal collateral damage – it was something that made me feel safer. Though I am not an American – still, I feel strongly against uncalled-for violence, and for saying that “killing women and children is okay as long as it serves the purpose of Jihad” (Refer to Osama’s ideology.)
Imagine the self-restraint required not to blow Osama’s body to bits, instead giving it some sort of burial – and also imagine the people – men and women, who went to work one morning, and died because an Osama planned their deaths…and the people, children included, who died because they happened to be on a plane that Osama choose to use as weapon of death.
About Osama’s childhood: Every child is born innocent, many children go through harrowing circumstances, but only a handful decide to follow Satan’s lead. We had a Hitler too, and the Hitler too had a childhood. He left the Germans, even the innocent ones, with a stigma. It is the price that we pay for belonging to a group. A Daniel Pearl is captured and beheaded because he was an American.
We need to decide for ourselves. We need to decide whether belonging to a particular group gives us more pain than comfort. If it does, and if you don’t have to belong – don’t. If it doesn’t – you are anyway better off belonging to the group.
I appreciate your feelings, and I do think that you write extremely well. However, I believe that Osama’s death should make us feel happy because it tells us the retribution exists and those that Osama killed were not forgotten.
Warm Regards,
Shafali
@Shafali, Thank you so much for expressing your thoughts here. It’s a very valuable perspective. I don’t begrudge *anyone* the right to feel happy, so, if you feel happy, that is good. I am happy that you’re happy. Truly.
I agree that these are all choices that people make, nobody is forced to become someone like Osama bin Laden… that is a choice that he made, he alone is responsible and he alone will have to answer for his deeds in the Hereafter (in my belief system, anyway).
My points here were not to justify, create sympathy, or remotely insinuate that his death was unjust. I believe it was an act of justice. I simply sought to illustrate that he was a human being, and because of that we must examine what made him do the things he did. If we do this, we have hope of stopping it from happening again.
Thanks again for your comment.
@Faiqa,
Well, Faiqa, I don’t mean to impune your sincerity in the least, but your late friend, Professor Edward Said, long ago provided us ample reason for bin Laden’s choices and actions: oppressive American foreign policies toward Muslim nations which of course involve capitalist and Zionist exploitation of the world’s poor. I mean, haven’t your progressive heroes like Said and Barack Obama made this clear?
@Faiqa, Faiqa, if you truly don’t begrudge me the inclination to celebrate the termination of UBL, you won’t mind if I help myself to that gallon of chocolate chip mint ice cream in your refrigerator?
Well said, Faiqa. Very well said. You put words to what I’ve been trying to mentally sort out ever since I heard the news too.
@Tracy, Thanks Tracy! I very much appreciate that you like it.
Faiqa, are you ever going to get over your identity issue? I’m happy as hell that a hate-filled, cowardly, mad dog who brought misery and unspeakable grief to so many innocent human beings and shame to his family and religion was shot dead by an American soldier, mano a mano. You can join us, Faiqa. I give you permission for what it’s worth. I’m only sad that I was not that soldier.
Faiqa, if only we could get you to see that those very “progressives” you’ve worshipped for so long are part of the problem and not the solution to America’s woes. Margaret Sanger, among countless other “progressives” was a racist to her core. She urged the U.S. government to eliminate African-Americans through sterilization. The early Nazis studied the work of American progressives in dealing with social problems in Weimar Germany. More recently, your progressive friends have alleged that the American government’s foreign policies aimed at Muslim countries are the cause of Islamic militancy, and that is just EXACTLY who and what bin Laden blamed for the desparate conditions of most Islamic nations. OMG when WILL you get this through your head?