North Texas Muslims React To Bin Laden's Death
RICHARDSON (CBSDFW.COM) – At the Dallas Central Mosque, General Counsel Asad Rahman said he felt his faith was "hijacked" when the World Trade Center towers crumbled on September 11, 2001.
So when President Barack Obama announced Sunday that Osama bin Laden, the al Qaeda leader and orchestrator of those attacks that left thousands dead, had finally been killed by U.S. forces, he said his community was relieved.
"Because, just like every American, we suffered that day. We had people who lost lives and who have lost lives subsequently in the Armed Forces," Rahman said. "We certainly salute our troops and are proud of the work they do and our intelligence agencies."
At Richardson-based Fun Asia Radio 104.9 FM, Shabnam Modgil was up all night giving breaking news to her North Texas audience.
Fun Asia FM Radio listeners are primarily from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
"I'm really happy, and I'm happy for all the people around the world. We had been suffering from that man until yesterday," one caller said.
"Osama bin Laden's death…. A few steps taken by the U.S Army but a giant leap for mankind all around the world," another remarked.
"It was huge; it was like big, big news that it happened," Modgil said.
"I'm sure people began to say, 'Well, why can't we go ahead and catch him, and why can't we do something about it?' Well, finally it was done. So it was very exciting; amazing," she added.
General Counsel Rahman reiterated that the community "welcomed the news" and hoped it would further the healing process for all those who were affected by the tragedies.
He said he is especially grateful that President Barack Obama, like President George W. Bush before him, made it clear "that this was never a war on Islam."
"We appreciate that and respect that and urge people to remember that," he said.
