Many Muslims within the Houston Islamic community are relieved to hear about the death of Osama bin Laden, the founder of the Al-Qaida organization and alleged mastermind of the September 11th attacks upon the United States World Trade Center.
Muslim leaders in Houston have openly declared their relief. Mustafaa Caroll, Director of the Houston Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, also known as CAIR, has stated, "I was praying that it would bring closure to the families who had family members killed on 9/11. He has served as a pinnacle of terrorism, and I'm relieved that the threat of his leadership is gone." In a statement issued after President Obama's announcement of Osama bin Laden's death, CAIR stated:
"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. As we have stated repeatedly since the 9/11 terror attacks, bin Laden never represented Muslims or Islam. In fact, in addition to the killing of thousands of Americans, he and Al Qaeda caused the deaths of countless Muslims worldwide. We also reiterate President Obama's clear statement tonight that the United States is not at war with Islam."
CAIR also coordinated one of the first joint American Muslim statements condemning the 9/11 terror attacks. To learn more about CAIR's anti-terror initiatives click here.
Dr. Aziz Siddiqi, President of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, has stated that the beliefs of Islam are distinctly different from the violence that Osama bin Laden projected and is quoted as having said, "We are very relieved. We were always blamed, which was incorrect. He was not a Muslim leader. In fact, he terrorized Muslims as well."
Mike Ghouse, President of the Foundation for Pluralism, has said, after having been asked if he would have sanctioned Osama bin Laden's death, to which he answered no, "However, it feels good that he is not alive anymore. Mind you, that is different than cheering for his death which we should not do."
Muslims across the country have stated on several occasions that they are Muslim and American and that they do not see their identity as being contradictory in any way: they love Islam and they love their country. The book, A Place of Tolerance in Islam by Khaled Abou El Fadl with Tariq Ali, Milton Viorst, John Esposito and Others underscores the ungoing conversation about Islam and how Islam is not in direct opposition to the West.
American Activist and writer, Aishah Schwartz, founder of Washington D.C. based Muslimah Writers Allaince, has stated, "Being Muslim does not equate to being anti-American, neither does it serve as a relinquishment of one's rights as a citizen of the United States." To read more, click here.
"I don't believe bin Laden was the face of Islam," said Shakima Heath, a Muslim from Brooklyn, New York. "So, for me, life goes on as normal."
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