The US Needs to Focus on Not Creating Any More bin Ladens

The following is an interview with Samina Sundas, a Pakistani-American activist who founded American Muslim Voice in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. CODEPINK organizer Rae Abileah interviewed Samina on May 2, the morning after President Obama's announcement that Osama Bin Laden was assassinated by US forces in Pakistan.

How did you feel when you heard that Osama had been killed?

At first I didn't believe it - we've heard these rumors before that he'd been captured and killed so I was skeptical. Then I thought there would be a body shown so we could put him to rest forever, but instead reports say that Osama was "buried at sea," which is odd. I did not resonate with people rejoicing over his death. Rejoicing does not reflect very well when we hear of the death of anyone. What does that say about us as human beings? Our focus as a country should have been an acknowledgement that now that the US has captured and killed Osama, we will focus on how not to create more Osama Bin Ladens.

Is the problem of terrorism going to be buried with Osama? Osama was a huge symptom of an enormous problem that we have in our country and world and by just killing him it is as if we have merely put a band-aid on cancer. We must take care of the cancer. We should be questioning ourselves: Are we creating more Osamas by continuing to invade and occupy other countries? If we have killed one Osama, how many others will emerge due to our unbalanced foreign policies?

Do you think that the news of Osama's death should indicate a shift in US policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan?

Yes, this news should indicate a shift in policy in every country - we should not be illegally occupying and bombing other countries if we want to be considered the champion of human rights. We must rise above our own self-interest and not pretend to protect when there is something, like oil, in it for us.

We always think we have to go across the seas to defend human rights, but there is so much to do here at home. I believe that we can get more out of our dollars if we will spend even 1/100th of the defense budget on humane efforts in rebuilding nations and tribes. We could truly start being champion of human rights, and start living our Constitution, and really become a super nation. Our focus must turn to rebuilding our nation and the countries we have destroyed through warfare and the drone attacks.

What about the role of the Pakistani government in killing Osama?

Pakistan depends so much on US aid that they are in no position to refuse collaboration with US on its mission.

What does Osama's death mean for the American Muslim community?

The statements I've read from a few American Muslim organizations indicate that the American Muslim community is relieved, hoping they will not be as big of a target as they have been for the past nearly 10 years. It's important to note that Osama Bin Laden did not represent Muslims or the teachings of Islam. 9/11 was one of the worst tragedies we faced as a nation but the terrible backlash against American Muslims, Arabs and South Asians was uncalled for, because we did not have any part in this heinous act of violence.

What can people do here at home?

Since 2003, when I founded American Muslim Voice, we have been totally focused on proactive peace and community building. We are committed to walk on the path that Martin Luther King, Jr. has paved for us to build an inclusive, harmonious and beloved community. We hold open houses, peace picnics, teach-ins, dinners, dialogs and peace conventions to share who we are and what Islam is all about with our fellow Americans. We are dedicated to educate our fellow Americans through social interaction to promote peace and harmony in our nation. None of us will be safe by targeting of the whole Muslim community through racial profiling, harassment, radicalization or extra security for Muslims at the airport. Our country's safety, security and peaceful future depend on our ability to open our minds, hearts and homes to each other so we may get to know each other.