To defeat terrorism, America and the West must abandon the triumphalist approach
The news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed has been greeted with many views, emotions, commentaries, jubilation, relief and scepticism, all in equal measure. This is more so for the families of those who lost their beloveds on that dreadful day of September 11. The survivors of these victims, who, in the space of two hours saw a devastating and life changing event right in front of their eyes, have been left with indelible marks for the rest of their lives. Like President Obama said, the empty chairs at the dinner tables will always keep their memories raw in their hearts. Most of the families that were affected by this tragedy will see the death of Osama Bin Laden as “justice done; at last”. Others will see it as a closure to their decade long suffering. My heart goes out to them. The effect of this tragedy has been felt far and wide. The consequences have been felt in every aspect of life; irrespective of where you live. The concept of terrorism took a different nomenclature since September 11, and with it, attitudes, beliefs, ways of life, travelling and relations were re-defined and re- designed along all spheres. (Photo: Abdulai Mansaray, author)
When Obama took office, I remember him promising the American people that he will bring the troops home from Iraq, hunt down Osama Bin Laden and restore the American economy; among others. He has just achieved the first and second; the third is under construction. With a flagging approval rating, purely for an economic mess that was bequeathed to him; the death of Osama Bin Laden could not have come at a better time; a real political gin and tonic. Rightly so, he has taken all the plaudits for spearheading a remarkable feat. Osama had been hunted down for the past 8 years but two years into his reign, Obama made good his word. When he took office, he extended a hand of friendship to the Islam religion, and re-iterated that the West was not at war with Islam. He offered to sit round the table with Iran, on the nuclear question, without pre-conditions. Although many eyebrows were raised when Obama was given the Nobel Peace Prize, to the keen eye, you could see that his approach may have gone a long way to achieve more than what 10 years of fighting could do. We should remember that terrorism is not a person, but a state of fear generated by an ideology.
While sections of the world have been toasting the death of Osama Bin Laden, others have gone into overdrive to contemplate revenge. No wonder, the triumphant responses have been quickly replaced by muted caution, and rightly so. Now we see the state of fear that we all have to live in, even when “the right thing is done”. It is against this background that any triumphalism in the death of Osama Bin Laden should be discouraged at all cost. This is not out of fear but common sense. Conspiracy theorists have been goading the American government to release pictures of the body of Osama Bin Laden. These sceptics believe that they have heard this story before, but the administration will be foolhardy to do so. The burden of proof does not lie with Obama and his Government. If Osama is alive, prove it. If he is alive, then let’s wait for the DVD. America does not need to prove that Osama Bin Laden is alive and those who don’t believe should ask him to prove otherwise. Recently, a deluded “pastor” in the USA orchestrated the burning of the Quran. No one needs a reminder about how far the authorities went to prevent this, in view of the consequences from the “Muslim” world. Many people will struggle to see any difference between the acts of the “deluded” pastor and that of the administration if the photos of Osama Bin Laden’s body are released.
It is unquestionable that his death is a blow to Al-Qaeda, but as many have opined, Al-Qaeda may have become Medusa the Gorgon; with several heads. Like the Iraq war, there can be no better recruiting sergeant for the fanatics than the photo of Osama Bin Laden’s body on a slab. As the saying goes, a picture can be worth a thousand words. There is no doubt that the power of Osama has been on the wane even before his death. But with Al-Qaeda being franchised on the terrorist stock exchange, you could bet your last dollar that its shares will rise dramatically, if those pictures were released. We all know the prophet Mohammad (SAW) came after Jesus Christ (Issa) but there are no photos of the former. Wonder why? To avoid direct worship of Mohammad, but instead to be seen as God’s messenger. Catch my drift? You give Osama Bin Laden’s body a photo, you will canonise him from martyr to prophet. This may seem far -fetched but every need has an ego to feed; the workings of a fanatic’s psyche. The fanatics’ egos have been dealt a blow but the need to feed it still remains; and that is exactly what the release of Osama Bin Laden’s photos will do. For terrorism to succeed, it needs a community to embrace it. For the fanatics to recruit, they need a sermon. You don’t want to provide a pictorial illustration for their sermon. This is not out of fear but simple decency; to say the least.
The West and all peace loving citizens should appreciate the timing of Osama’s death with the political whirlwind that is blowing in the Muslim world. The outcry for “democracy;” a supposedly blueprint edition that is seen in the West, has been the clarion call since the fall of the Tunisian government. We have witnessed barbaric actions by those in power, from Libya, Bahrain, to Yemen etc, as they struggle to maintain the status quo. In spite of the escalating death toll, the atmosphere is one of A Luta Continua. In Palestine today, Hamas and the Fatah movements (once sworn enemies) are busy tying politically lubricated knots as one of the strangest bedfellows. These people have been so embedded in their own struggles for freedom, that Osama Bin Laden’s death has been met with relatively deafening silence. That is one way to look at it. Another view may be that since 9/11, Muslims have taken the brunt of Al- Qaeda’s terror from Pakistan right to the Philippines. That does not in any way nullify the threat posed by the franchised sectors.
As the plaudits flow in, America should try and not take to the bait. In real terms, there will be no further kudos for these photos. The knowledge that Osama Bin Laden is dead is good for the families of the victims. To misuse this opportunity to satisfy sceptical journalists; whose main interest may be to get front page splash and a few dollars in the bargain, is not worth the price of being a recruiting sergeant for AL-Qaeda (The Medusa). It is not worth the price of tarnishing the memories of the victims and their families of 9/11. What is the worst thing you can do to a suicide bomber? Zilch. He is ready to die; so a prison sentence will be an upgrade to a life of luxury at the tax payers’ expense; and to kill him? Well that is what they wanted to do in the first place: die. I hope the West and the people of USA rise above this occasion and pursue the course better. The days of “mission accomplished” “crusade” “shock and awe” are over and only have the Hollywood effect. The feat should not belittle because FOX News wants to engage in its sensationalisation. When a dog bites you, you don’t bite it back. There is always a better way.
by Abdulai Mansaray, UK
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
