Early this morning, U.S. President Barack Obama addressed the nation to announce that the United States has killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda.“At my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan,” the president said. “A small team of Americans carried out the operation with extraordinary courage and capability. No Americans were harmed. They took care to avoid civilian casualties. After a firefight, they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body.”
Al Qaeda was responsible for the September 11, 2001 attack on America that cost the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens.
Obama emphasized, once again, that America is not at war with the religion of Islam.
“We must also reaffirm that the United States is not – and never will be – at war with Islam,” Obama said. “ I’ve made clear, just as President [George W.] Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.”