STATEMENT FROM THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA”The Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga (ISGC) shares the feelings of every American about Osama Bin Laden being brought to justice. We have always maintained that Bin Laden and his network do not represent Islam or Muslims in any way. We further pray that this will bring some closure to the families who lost loved ones on that day.”The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)”We hope his death will bring some relief to all the families, of every faith and walk of life, who lost loved ones on 9/11 and in every other terrorist attack orchestrated at the hands of Osama Bin Laden.”The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)”We join our fellow citizens in welcoming the announcement that Osama bin Laden has been eliminated as a threat to our nation and the world through the actions of American military personnel.”
Azhar Sheikh felt a sense of relief when he heard the news that Osama bin Laden was dead – one less person to be concerned about, he said.
“[He was] a guy who was a mass murderer, responsible for, directly or indirectly, the deaths of thousands of people,” said the Cleveland, Tenn., resident and Pakistan native.
And Sheikh was not alone as Muslims in the Chattanooga area and worldwide reacted to news of the death of the al-Qaeda leader who was behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., nearly a decade ago.
“That is the sense that I’m getting from talking to people back [in Pakistan] and here in the community as well,” he said. “Regardless of race or religion, he was a bad guy.”