UPDATED 1:10 p.m PST
Bin Laden was buried at sea early Monday morning, and it was a controversial burial that left many wondering if the whole scenario is a hoax. U.S. officials quietly slipped bin Laden’s body into the Arabian Sea after a DNA test confirmed its identity, but there were few who actually saw the body. The LA Times reported that officials chose a burial at sea because no country was willing to accept the remains.
Other media organizations commented on the ceremony itself and whether or not it followed Islamic tradition. The Associated Press reported Muslim clerics said the sea burial was a violation of tradition, which could put the U.S. at risk for retaliation attacks.
AP also reported President Obama’s claims that the burial followed Islamic tradition because it was shortly after the time of death, and the body was washed and wrapped according to Islamic customs. However, sea burials are rare for Muslims, for they are usually placed in a tomb with their heads pointed toward Mecca.
There were also several mishaps in reporting bin Laden’s death, and news organizations such as FOX News, CNN and NPR mistakenly reported Obama was dead.
Former president George W. Bush commented on bin Laden’s death in a statement, in which he congratulated the men and women of the military. He also said that while bin Laden’s death marks a significant achievement for the U.S., “the fight against terror goes on.”
Obama is scheduled to meet with families of 9/11 victims Thursday at Ground Zero.
UPDATED 12:43 a.m. EST
On Sunday, May 1, U.S. forces launched an attacked against the Abbottabad compound in Pakistan, resulting in the death of long-time Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden under direction by President Barack Obama.
Obama addressed the nation Sunday night to confirm the death of bin Laden and encourage the American people.
“Tonight we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to,” he said.
Obama was briefed last August about the possible location of bin Laden and earlier this week believed U.S. intelligence had enough intelligence to take military action, he said. Obama credited the U.S. counter-terrorism agreement with Pakistan as being useful in procuring information about bin Laden.
Obama recalled the terrorist attacks of September 11, mentioning that America declared war against Al Qaeda after the attacks to protect its citizens. Obama emphasized both the “great strides” and the cost of the war.
“The American people did not choose this fight. It came to our shores, started with the senseless slaughter of our citizens. After nearly 10 years of struggle, service and sacrifice, we know well the cost of war,” he said.
Despite killing and capturing “scores of terrorists,” America had been unable to capture Osama bin Laden since 9/11, Obama said. He spoke of his gratitude toward the military and their families, acknowledging the difficulty of losing loved ones.
“We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are, and on nights like this one, we can say to families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror – justice has been done.”
The war against Al Qaeda is not a war against Islam because bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, Obama said, mentioning that bin Laden killed numerous innocent Muslims.
Bin Laden organized many Al Qaeda attacks worldwide according to MSNBC, and in November 2003, the U.S. worked with Saudi intelligence to stop an attack against Mecca. In the same month, Al Qaeda was also responsible for attacks on two Istanbul synagogues, and it was the organization’s first attack against the Muslim nation of Turkey.
“His demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity,” Obama said.
UPDATED 11:35 p.m. EST “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, and a terrorist who is responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children,” said the president to begin his address.
Twitter and Facebook were filled with updates about Osama bin Laden Sunday night. Various news sources, including the Associated Press, NBC News, and the NY Times have reported bin Laden’s death. CBS News reported bin Laden’s body is in U.S. hands in Afghanistan. President Barack Obama is scheduled to address the nation around 11:30 EST. Although the topic is unannounced, he is expected to address the topic of bin Laden’s death.
