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Community Corner

Local Responses to Osama bin Laden's Demise

Burr Ridge residents react to killing of al Qaeda leader.

President Barack Obama revealed late Sunday night that Osama bin Laden was captured and killed by U.S. armed forces in Pakistan.

Reactions from Burr Ridge residents were largely positive.

Dr. Rany Jazayerli, Muslim Educational Cultural Center of America (MECCA) secretary and executive committee member, was exhilarated. “It’s a good day as an American, and as a Muslim,” he said on Monday. Although Jazayerli’s parents are originally from Syria, he has lived his whole life in the United States.

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Dr. Talal Sunbulli, a Syrian-American and also a member of MECCA’s Executive Committee, was also pleased with the outcome.

“Justice is done,” he said.

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Dr. Muhammad Hamadeh, president of MECCA, also hoped for justice. “I’m just like any other person. … I eventually want justice to prevail.” Hamadeh is originally from Syria, but has lived in the United States since 1984.

Hamadeh remarked upon the tie between the recent, peaceful uprisings in the Middle East and other violence in the region. “All of the revolutions in the Middle East prove that things can change without terrorism,” he said. He hoped that bin Laden’s death would not lead to retaliation. “I hope that there will be no crimes or terrorist attacks.”

Jazayerli remarked that the public demonstrations in the Middle East are indirectly affecting al Quaeda. “The biggest implication is that … al Qaeda is in the process of becoming irrelevant.”

In terms of the impact of bin Laden’s death on al Qaeda, Jazayerli is unsure of how much of an effect it will have. “It’s a very symbolic blow,” he said.

As far as Muslim-American relations go, he was optimistic. “I am hopeful that relations will grow.”

Hamadeh is unsure whether they will change as a result of the killing. “It depends on how people react,” he said. “I hope it will improve their relationship.”

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