The mastermind and symbol of hatred ,death and destruction, the murderer of thousands of peace loving people from all faiths, nationalities and races has been eliminated.
Yes, it is a big achievement and the closure of a big and an important chapter but it is just a chapter in a long and a very difficult book that we must finish.
All this could not have been possible without determination , a lot of collaboration and cooperation. It is with the same spirit of unity, faith, discipline and cooperation across the world that we need to move forward.
And I quote President Barak Obama:
“ It’s important to note that our counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan helped lead us to bin Laden and the compound where he was hiding. Indeed, bin Laden had declared war against Pakistan as well, and ordered attacks against the Pakistani people.
Tonight, I called President Zardari, and my team has also spoken with their Pakistani counterparts. They agree that this is a good and historic day for both of our nations. And going forward, it is essential that Pakistan continue to join us in the fight against al Qaeda and its affiliates.”
We need to understand and remember always that Osama Bin Laden was a friend of no one. He wanted to divide the world and wanted the world to believe that he was a Muslim, yet a vast majority of his victims were Muslims all over the world. It is a day of some satisfaction for everyone everywhere in the world, but particularly it should be more so for Muslims all over the world because he was truly their enemy number one.
And I quote President Barak Obama:
“As we do, we must also reaffirm that the United States is not –- and never will be -– at war with Islam. I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity. ”
And I quote Secretary of State Hilary Clinton:
“First, I want to offer my thoughts and prayers to the thousands of families whose loved ones were killed in Usama bin Ladin’s campaign of terror and violence, from the embassy bombings in Africa, to the strike on the U.S.S. Cole, to the attacks of September 11, 2001, and so many more. These were not just attacks against Americans, although we suffered grievous losses; these were attacks against the whole world. In London and Madrid, Bali, Istanbul, and many other places, innocent people – most of them Muslims – were targeted in markets and mosques, in subway stations, and on airplanes, each attack motivated by a violent ideology that holds no value for human life or regard for human dignity. I know that nothing can make up for the loss of the victims or fill the voids they left, but I hope their families can now find some comfort in the fact that justice has been served.”
It will serve us a lot of good if we are mindful of the fact that the breeding grounds need our attention. It will be very helpful if we have long term strategies to address the pressing need for reformed education and provision of basic human opportunities for the very vulnerable in the impoverished areas especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
We Americans have every reason to feel proud as a nation. Let us pledge that we will always stand united as one peace loving nation without regard to race, religion or color.
-Myra Chaudhary, USA
