I may have gone all Roman on the welcome death of Osama bin Laden in the previous post, but I realize that we have different traditions. We do not parade our enemies around in chains. Nor can we, as decent people, handle their human remains as barbarians might. But did we have to go out of our way to treat bin Laden’s body in “accordance with Islamic law”?
Islamic law dictates that a body must be buried within 24 hours. Realizing it would be hard to find a friendly cemetery, the administration buried bin Laden at sea. Very multicultural.
The president observed:
Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader. He was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, Al Qaeda 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.
It is quite true that Osama was a killer of Muslims. But this statement is more of the administration’s refusal to admit the nature of our global conflict. A question: Was the DNA testing done before or after the body was buried in its watery grave? No, I have no doubt that it was bin Laden. But some people will; the rush to obey Islamic law was not necessary.