One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Muslim Public Affairs Council greets bin Laden's death with 'sense of relief'
FILE - Saudi-born alleged terror mastermind Osama bin Laden is seen in this video footage recorded at an undisclosed location in Afghanistan aired by the Qatar-based satelite TV station al-Jazeera October 7, 2001.
(
Al-Jazeera/AFP/Getty Images
)
Listen
2:30
Muslim Public Affairs Council greets bin Laden's death with 'sense of relief'
Muslim Public Affairs Council greets bin Laden's death with 'sense of relief'
People are reacting this morning to the death of Osama bin Laden. The Muslim Public Affairs Council's website this morning read "MPAC Greets Bin Laden's Death With A Sense Of Relief." Salam Al-Marayati, president of MPAC in Los Angeles, spoke with KPCC.
Why relief? "We've been dealing with the specter of terrorism for so long that the elimination of bin Laden represents a swift blow against terrorism," says Al-Marayati. "The Middle East, unfortunately, has been devastated by terrorist violence. We see people like bin Laden sitting on his empty throne of self-righteousness, sending young people to their deaths and killing civilians in our name."
Al-Marayati says bin Laden's death was a major blow against terrorism. "As we see democracy on the rise in the Middle East as well, I hope that this ushers a new era for the whole region and for U.S./Muslim world relations."
Al-Marayati says he sees bin Laden's death as a game changer. "It's a significant step. I don't think we've achieved victory against terrorism, but I think definitely it's a major blow against terrorism."
Southern California Muslims have been reacting to bin Laden’s death, discussing it and what it signifies for Southern California and the Muslim community. "We've been talking, and there's been Facebook chatting," says Al-Marayati. "Most people are relieved, like MPAC is, that we don't have to deal with bin Laden anymore. He's a major source of negative stereotyping about Islam and Muslims."
Al-Marayati says people complain a lot about the Muslim community's negative image. "It's a result of people like him, and of dictators, as well."
While U.S. policy in the Middle East is part of the conversation, Al-Marayati says, "The fact is, until we Muslims ourselves deal effectively with the issue of terrorism and dictatorship, and have a clear message on that, I don't think we can blame U.S. policy 100 percent on that issue."
Sponsored message
Salam Al-Marayati is a member of the KPCC Regional Advisory Council.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
