Response to Bin Laden's Death

With the killing of Osama Bin Laden by the Navy SEALS earlier this week the world has rejoiced in the controversial end of one of its leading terrorists. As the leader of one of the world's most prominent terrorist groups, Al-Qaeda, Bin Laden was in the free world's cross hairs since the attacks on the Twin Towers in 2001. The response and reaction from throughout the world was one of joy and satisfaction. While his death can't undo the carnage is organization has caused, his death has been a major blow to Al-Qaeda and more importantly shows that those organizations that go through with terrorism will be punished.

In Ireland there was a general consensus that this was an event to celebrate. The Taoiseach (or prime minister) of Ireland, Enda Kenny, remarked "The removal of Osama Bin Laden’s ability to plot heinous acts is a major achievement in the effort to rid the world of the threat of terrorism." Kenny pointed out the many "countless deaths" that Bin Laden had been responsible for were not without justice.

Not surprisingly, the most interesting response was that of the Arab world. Ireland's RTE News reports that many in the Arab world are skeptical of the story that has been currently reported. "'Are we sure that he has been killed?' said Tehran shopkeeper Ali Asghar Sedaghat. 'Or is it another game of the Americans?'" Also, many from the Middle Eastern countries believe that this doesn't end Al-Qaeda, but instead brings it more power.

Omar Bakri, a Lebanese Sunni cleric, mourned Bin Laden as a martyr:  'His martyrdom will give momentum to a large generation of believers and jihadists. Al-Qaeda is not a political party, it is a jihadist movement. Al-Qaeda does not end with the death of a leader. Bin Laden was first the generation of the Qaeda and now there is a second, third, fourth and fifth generation.'