Voices of America
Sick of reading liberal, do-gooders moralising over the execution of Osama Bin Laden and the joyous reception that welcomed it? Here are some comments from proud and patriotic Americans.
AZIZ POONAWALLA – I surfed Twitter and blogs and retweeted and Liked with wild abandon, I was ecstatic….finding Enemy Number One was like a delirium of joy. What else but sheer joy can we feel?
Imam Hassan Al-Qazwini, head of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn, Mich. “The world is definitely a better place without the patron of all terrorists. It is so comforting to see justice being served while the families of the thousands of his victims rejoice.”
Ibrahim Aljahim, 29, of Detroit, head of Arab American Outreach: “He never represented Muslims or anyone else. It’s a great thing. We’re very happy. He hurt Muslims more than any other religious groups.”
Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. “As gratifying as it is to see this, we should continue to be on alert,”
Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “We welcome the elimination of Osama bin Laden and the threat that his terrorist leadership posed to the people of the world,”
Amjad Taufique Islamic Center of Marietta outreach director: “I was relieved, but then you question, ‘Did it really happen? Is it true?’ We’ve heard these things before. “We hope the death of Osama bin Laden brings closure.”
Keysar Trad spokesman for Australia’s largest mosque at Lakemba: “This news will create a big relief for Muslims because this person has been used to symbolise violence and smear the peaceful image of Islam. I will be very, very surprised if any Muslims react badly to this news. This is a new beginning for people the world over.”
Muslim family of a Bronx maintenance worker killed on 9/11 “If you ask me, he didn’t even deserve to be washed or wrapped [in accordance with Islamic law]. I hope they dropped him in shark-infested waters,”
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi: From the beginning, we opposed bin Laden’s un-Islamic, inhumane philosophy. The death of bin Laden is a relief for our nation’s victims and their families, and confirmation of the president’s statement that “as a nation there is nothing we can’t do.”
Salam Al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council: “Bin Laden was symbolic. And the fact that he’s eliminated is a symbolic victory for all of us.”
Dr. Maher Hathout: “our planet will be a better place” without him.
Ihsan Bagby, an associate professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kentucky: “American Muslims have kind of been in a kettle, a boiling kettle, and the fire has been this terrorism. Hopefully, the demise of Qaeda and this terrorist philosophy will put out the fire.”
Mohammad Ashraf , his nephew, Ehtisham Rana, died in the collapse of the World Trade Center’s north tower: “Osama bin Laden dying is good for the whole Muslim community, non-Muslims, everybody.”
HUSSEIN RASHID: “Osama bin Laden is dead. To hear those words last night was immensely cathartic for me. We needed him dead. I am glad that he’s gone, but I know that the war is far from over.”
Ahmed Albedairy, 35, of Dearborn, who came to the U.S. from Iraq in 1996: “It’s a special day for us to show Americans we are celebrating, we are united.”
Leila Hussein, a 24-year-old waitress: “It’s good he’s out of the world,”
Mohamed Kobeissi, Cafe manager: “We felt we got relief by him getting killed. Thank God, finally, it’s a done job. I think by seeing him out of our life gives us comfort. At least no big harm will come to the Muslim community in the U.S. from him or people like him.”
Khaldon Masri, 23: “It’s about time. No more hide and seek.”
Bambade Shakoor-Abdullah, principal of the Chicago Metropolitan Educational Center for Community Advancement school: “We stand and celebrate with the rest of our country. It concludes a time where Americans have been fighting to restore justice and dignity, things that were taken away on Sept. 11. I think all of us were waiting for this to happen, and thank God it finally did,”
Imam Mohamed Magid, Islamic Society of North America: “Their martyr and their icon is gone. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al-Qaida 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.”
Imad Jurdi, Virginia: “Everybody’s celebrating. This guy spoiled the reputation of the whole Islamic world.”
Imam Kashif Abdul-Karim, president of the Leadership Council for Connecticut Masajid, said the group continues to stand with their fellow Americans “in support of the elimination of terrorism throughout the world.”
Arsalan Iftikhar is an international human rights lawyer: Myself included, there were many among the 1 billion Muslims worldwide who uttered three simple words when we heard about the official confirmation of bin Laden’s death. Those three words were: “God is great.”
Hesham A. Hassaballa: Good riddance. At long last, the criminal murderer Osama bin Laden has been killed by American Special Forces.
Sharif Sahibzada, The Imam of the Islamic Center and Mosque of Grand Rapids: bin Laden’s death “…was a relief that an evil person who has put the whole humanity and the world in danger has been removed from this land.”
Dr. Aslam Abdullah, The Islamic Society of Nevada: Bin Laden’s death is being seen as a sign of victory of reason over violence and terror.
Edina Lekovich, director of policy and programming with the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Los Angeles: “on a day like this, let me be honest and just say that I am filled with a huge sense of relief and a huge sense of gratitude.”
Steve Elturk, imam of the Islamic Organization of North America: “Hopefully, with the figurehead gone, things will simmer down. We have to be alert … (but) for the long run, I think his movement is dying.”
Parvez Ahmed, Associate Professor of Finance at the Coggin College of Business, University of North Florida: Memo to Osama bin Laden: Although rejoicing death is not part of the religious traditions of Muslims, Christians or Jews, I cannot help but feel a sense of joyful relief now that you are no longer capable of plotting your evil.
Yahya Kariem, a Jacksonville Muslim and Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Vietnam: “I hope it begins a healing process, because 9/11 caused such a separation between the Islamic community and some Christian communities.
Ali Metwalli, a leading activist of the Muslim community: “great news. The major head of the snake was cut off. A few smaller heads still need to be taken care of. He tasted the same poison that he gave others.”
Saleh Sbenaty, an engineering professor at Middle Tennessee State University: “We hope this has closed a dark chapter in our history,”
Imam Ossama Bahloul, Islamic Center of Murfreesboro: “I think we can all be united in doing what’s right, and we can be united against any radical or extreme view of any kind,”
Wajahat Ali, a Muslim-American writer and attorney: “A lot of (Muslim-Americans) feel, first and foremost, catharsis and relief. Relief because Osama bin Laden was a global symbol of terror and indiscriminate violence.… It’s also a relief because he symbolizes (those who) hijacked Islam, legitimizing his ruthlessness (using the) religion. … His name and the photo (are) imprinted on the collective consciousness of the world.”
Ashraf el Essawi, president of the Islamic Center of Naperville: “I think it will make things a little bit clearer, in the reaction among the countries around the world. They are happy and cheering the death of Osama bin Laden. As we have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks, bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam,”
Khalid Latif, Chaplain and Executive Director for the Islamic Center at New York University: “This is a chance for Islam to speak for itself instead of speaking in reaction to something bad. What we’ve seen en masse is all walks of life coming together, celebrating and smiling,”
Noor Zafar, a Muslim of Pakistani descent: “As an American Muslim, I was happy to see crowds celebrating in the streets and reacted positively to Obama’s statement,”
Omar Abu-namous, an imam at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York in East Harlem: “Al Qaeda is a burden to Islam. We always want to get rid of that stigma, this smear on the reputation of Islam.”
Khader Abuhamda, 62-year-old from Clifton: “I wish to hug the man who shot him,”
Mesut Abayhan, 51: “Bad people deserve to die.”
Dr. Kashif Chaudhry, a physician at Englewood Hospital: “This is a chance for us to go out and tell our American friends: “We are even more happy than you are.’”
Salaheddin Mustafa, president of the New Jersey chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee: “Good riddance to him and his ideology,”
Ali Chaudry, president of the Basking Ridge-based Center for Understanding Islam: “We hope now that the justified elimination of this mass murderer will finally de-link the faith of 1.5 billion Muslims from the radical and violent views of a tiny group of extremists,”
Ameena Jandali of the Islamic Networks Group: “Every American Muslim I’ve talked to is relieved,”
Omar Nawaz, vice president of Zaytuna College in Berkeley: “All the people are relieved. We certainly hope this news will bring some closure to the families of the innocent victims of 9/11. This is a milestone in the war against terror.”
Salahadine Adam of Sioux Falls: “I’m very happy Osama bin Laden is killed today because I don’t believe Osama bin Laden. A lot of Muslims don’t believe Osama bin Laden. That’s not good what he does,”
imam Samer Altabaa, “Their families will be happy to hear this news that this guy (was) brought to justice. I’m really happy to hear the news, too. I think this should be good news for everyone,”
Imam Watheq al-Obeidi, “I am happy. We got rid of this criminal. Everyone should be happy. Especially those who lost someone near and dear to them.”
Sam Elhaf, 44, Dearborn, Michigan: “It’s the best thing that has happened. Everyone is celebrating.”
Amin Jaqani, “We’re ecstatic. After seeing the news, we had to go to Ground Zero to pay our respects. We’re just as ecstatic as the people of New York City,”
Mahmood Rahman, a New York City cab driver: “This is a good day for Muslims everywhere,”
Majed Moughni, a 40-year-old Dearborn attorney who burned an effigy of bin Laden in his backyard on the eve of September 11 last year: “I am happy that he is gone, but I’m terrified of the consequences — of what his people are going to do in response.”
Imam Mohammed Hagmagid of the Islamic Society of North America: “We hope his death will bring some relief to all families, of every faith and walk of life, who lost loved ones in 9/11,”
Mohammed Mehboob, director of the Muslim Association of Virginia: “We are happy just like every American,”
Rafi Ahmed, Muslim Association of Virginia Vice President: “I believe that justice is served,”
Muslim American Society (MAS): The Muslim American Society welcomes the news of the death of Osama bin Laden.
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV): Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) expresses great relief at the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden as President Obama announced in a special report.
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC): The Muslim Public Affairs Council tonight greeted the news of the death of Osama bin Laden with an immense sense of relief.
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) joins all Americans in thanking President Obama for fulfilling his promise to bring Osama Bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda, and perpetrator of the 9/11 attacks, to justice.
Islamic Networks Group (ING): ING responds to Osama Bin Laden’s death with a sense of hope that a dark chapter in the history of the world may now come to a close.
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR): “We join our fellow citizens in welcoming the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been eliminated as a threat to our nation and the world through the actions of American military personnel.”
Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID): The death of Ben Laden—the mastermind and the iconic face of al-Qaeda which has caused death and destruction in the name of Islam for the past 15 years – has led to a collective sigh of relief among Muslims and non-Muslims.
Arab American Institute (AAI): While nothing can adequately address the pain of people who have lost loved ones—whether here or abroad—bin Laden’s death is justice served.
Arab American Caucus: We join our fellow Americans in welcoming the announcement by our President that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by the actions of our armed forces. We hope his death will bring some relief to all the families, of every faith and walk of life, that suffered from Al-Qaeda’s campaign of terror over the years.”
The American Society For Muslim Advancement (ASMA): We are grateful to President Obama and all others who were instrumental in the demise of a global terrorist who created unbelievable tragedy here in the United States and around the world. Today, we stand with these same voices and hope that the demise of a global terrorist will usher in an era of peace and tranquility for us all.
American Islamic Congress (AIC): The American Islamic Congress today welcomed the news that Osama Bin Laden has been brought to justice by U.S. Special Forces.
Oh yes, they’re all Muslims. Didn’t I say?
tweets_rhymes_and_life 
Interesting post..