The May 1, 2011 announcement that terrorist Osama bin Laden had been killed was met with both celebration and dismay. While some view his death as a point of closure in a nearly 10-year-long search for justice, many see the violence as part of a cycle that can potentially lead to more loss of life. But what about the role diversity and inclusion and cultural competency play in the whole matter?
Bin Laden’s body was buried at sea—an act U.S. officials report was in accordance with Muslim tradition. While it is unknown who performed the traditional Islamic burial procedures—which include washing the corpse and burying the body within a short time span—Sheik Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand Imam of Cairo’s al-Azhar mosque, contends that bin Laden’s burial at sea “runs contrary to the principles of Islamic law, religious values and humanitarian customs.” Believing that burial at sea is only done in extraordinary circumstances, some Muslim leaders found the act to be a misreading of Islamic tradition, if not an affront to bin Laden and an attempt by Americans to humiliate Muslims, The Huffington Post reports.
Bin Laden’s burial raises questions about the role of religion, culture and personal rights in retribution. Who has the license to determine the parameters of religious and cultural traditions? And should these traditions be taken into consideration when dealing with someone like bin Laden?
Whether you celebrated his death, fear for the future, or just wish all the violence would cease, this is a unique opportunity to reflect on the role of diversity and inclusion in bin Laden’s death and burial. We may never know if U.S. officials in charge were fully aware of Islamic traditions, but this is a watershed moment that illustrates the wide-reaching impact of religious and cultural difference.
This article was featured in the May 4, 2011 issue of Diversity Best Practices’ email newsletter, Diversity in the News. To read additional stories from that issue, see the related content section below. To subscribe to Diversity in the News, register on the newsletter page of this website.
