The long haul begins

Osma Bin Laden – the world’s most dreaded terrorist is dead, but leaves behind a legacy of violence, mass murder and ideology of hatred. An ideology of bloodshed and cruelty – only to be furthered by various Al Qaeda splinter groups and his second and third line of leadership.

While his elimination brings jubilation to 9/11 victim families and many other across America, however is a grim reminder of his fundamentalist and radical ideology that has worked to pose Islam against other cultures. The roots of the hate ideology are not only to be traced the fundamentalist way, but the so called Americanisation of cultures, oil politics that White House has played over the years and the sheer neglect of Afghanistan in post Cold War years.

Some might see this as the ‘beginning of the end game in Afghanistan’ and “justice delivered”. But the flip side of the coin according to Bin Laden and his followers has been withdrawal of American forces from the Arabian Peninsula, Arab land free from Jews and Christians and full stop to the invasion of American culture onto the Muslim lands. This is the ideological lineage that terror groups from Arabia have been following in order to further their agenda of hate and violence.

Many scholars in post 9/11 world acknowledged Sayyid Qutb the Egyptian radical ideologist to be the intellectual godfather of Islamic movements like Al Qaeda and its activities like the WTC attacks. Now, that Osama is claimed to be dead and buried in the sea some of the major terror outfits from Pakistan have started giving fresh calls to the vulnerable sections of the Islamic society not by actions yet, but by gestures of leading the mass prayers dedicated to Osama Bin Laden. The presence of Hafeez Mohammad Saeed the leader of Jama’at-Ud-Dawa in Quetta, Pakistan is one such reminder of the strong presence of Osama’s ideology in his absence. His open support to Osama and Pakistan’s inaction is a clear indication of coming diplomatic conflicts between India-Pakistan, shifting war on terror from Afghanistan to Pakistan and latter’s tryst with ideological bomb that might implode any time.

While the ground battle continuous boosting America’s military hegemony to new heights it continuous to face questions over the battle against its own ideology of violence. Remember, while Osama was a terrorist that killed thousands – America does not personify peace to many. Osama’s death has come to pose many questions to America. What kind of economy is America? Coke for Oil? What kind of nation is it? Diplomacy of peace through barrel of the gun? And, what kind of nation you would want to become? A nation that seeks peace in SUVs? These are the answers with question marks and are equally applicable to rest of the international community.

The countries in the Middle East and North Africa have just revolted against their dictators that were once supported by America and other Western countries. This could well be the new breeding ground for extremist forces. The Christian Science Monitorreports Libya possibly be the new heaven for Al Qaeda forces with Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt not far away. The political and security equations have become even more complicated with Osama’s absence as revenge seekers are expected to strike. It is hard to think that extremist forces will miss the pleasure in revenge.

The world was never safe with Osama, but in his absence has become even more uncomfortable with countries raising the security levels and making precautionary arrests. The mascot of international terrorism has been eliminated, but the war on terror continuous with his ideology that is deep rooted.

It took almost 10 years to find and kill Osama, but will require more than 100 years to erase his ideology. He lives in hearts and minds of many, but not all. His words have spoken louder than his actions forcing many to join his Jihad. And, he will continue to survive on YouTube and Face Book.

Former American President George Bush in his address to the Congress shortly after 9/11 said, “Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen.” The long haul seems to have begun. Perhaps the most difficult part of the war will be breaking the hypnotic effects of Osama.

Picture credit: Google Images.