After the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death, several Ohio University voices have struggled to justify the widespread celebrations while Muslims emphasize their reactions are not unique.
President Barack Obama told the world late Sunday night that bin Laden was dead, sparking riotous responses, especially in New York City and on college campuses. However, one OU professor said she is not sure if glee is the appropriate reaction.
“I hear the president and his advisers saying that this doesn’t mean the war on terror is over, that our troops are not coming home, saying that we need, in fact, to be increasingly vigilant in anticipation of retaliation, that we are not more secure,” Julie White, associate professor of political science, said in an email. “In light of this, the only goal we seem to accomplish with this is bin Laden’s death, perhaps regretfully necessary. But I am not sure what we are celebrating. What did we win?”
Several hours after Obama’s announcement, officials urged Americans to avoid openly celebrating bin Laden’s death.
The widespread rejoicing could be a cause for concern, said Loren Lybarger, an assistant professor in the department of Classics and World Religions who teaches several classes on Islam.
“I am very concerned about the jingoistic reactions on the part of the Americans,” Lybarger said. “It is understandable, certainly … but it is implicitly reaffirming or reinforcing the assumption and perceptions that Muslims are terrorists or Muslims are a problem and this is a war against Muslims.”
Following his announcement, Obama reminded Americans that the war on terror was never a war against Islam.
“I never thought (the nationwide celebrations were) a direct take against Islam,” said Savas Kaya, an associate professor of electrical engineering and the faculty adviser for OU’s Muslim Students Association. “There may be extremists around the world who see (bin Laden) as representing their opinion, but that’s a small majority. I think we should build trust and understanding … rather than demonizing and taking marginal personalities as the voice of the majority.”
National reports from Muslims indicate widespread relief over the death of bin Laden.
“Like all Americans, Muslims are relieved to see (that) the people who take lives and consider themselves above the law are brought to justice,” Kaya said.
“I understand why people would be jubilant and celebrate that,” he added. “I don’t really see a lot of Muslims really shedding tears over bin Laden’s death. There was nothing to be joyful about from a Muslim perspective on 9/11.”
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