Monday, May 2, 2011

Osama Bin Laden Killed: Future Prospects

The world was shocked when United States President Barack Obama announced that Al-Qa'ida's top leader Osama Bin Laden was killed. Al-Qa'ida's leader who was born in Saudi Arabia and lived in hiding was reported to be killed in a special operation by the Unites States military at a house in Abbotabad near Islamabad, Pakistan.
News of Bin Laden's death was greatly welcomed by the United States and its allies. Such reaction may be different from those who sympathize with Bin Laden's cause.
Believed To Be Mastermind Behind 9/11
Bin Laden is believed to be the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks against the United States that lead to Wshington's invasion of Afghanistan as the Taliban regime was beleived to be sheltering the Al-Qa'ida leader.
For a long time the United States lead the operation to hunt for Bin Laden but failed to track him down. If it is true that Bin Laden was successfully killed, would his death be enough to bring back peace to the world?
World Reactions
The entire world media turned their attention to the news of the death of Usama Bin Laden after it was announced by US President Barack Obama. British Prime Minister David Cameroon said that the death of Usama would bring peace in the entire world. Former US President George W. Bush said that justice was done by the death of Bin Laden.
Former US President Bill Clinton said that the death of Bin Laden was news of peace and security for the entire world. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is hopeful that the death of Bin Laden will bring about a more peaceful, safe and just world.
People's Expectations
Similarly, Muslims are also hopeful that a world free of terrorism will become a reality. Most important of all, as stated by many people across the world, is that Bin Laden's death will help restore the good name of Islam that was tainted by the negative image brought on by the al-Qa'idah leader. Since the September 11 tragedy we have witnessed violence and suicide bomb attacks at tourist attractions in the West that have become targets for Al-Qa'ida.
Each time violence is carried out by loyal followers of Bin Laden, the name of Islam is tarnished. Islam is viewed as a religion that endorses violence, despite the fact that it does not.
Future Prospects
Although reports have said that Bin Laden is dead, his absence is no guarantee that terrorism has ended. Peace and destruction of this world is not in the hands of Bin Laden whom was made a scapegoat during the era of former United States President George W. Bush.
This is the greatest concern of all. Will the world witness peace, or a new series of terror attacks as part of a retaliation from supporters of Bin Laden and Al-Qa'ida? We have seen many times that the use of military action to counter the threat posed by terrorists have failed to reduce activities related to terrorism.
We have to look at the root cause of terrorism from various surrounding aspects such as injustice, poverty, and economic disparity.
Nevertheless all parties should remain calm in the wake of Bin Laden's death. This is the time for the global community to erase their misperception and misunderstanding toward Islam and terrorism. The world must stand united against terrorism.

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