Controversy Swirls Around Bin Laden’s Burial
Although many Americans have showered President Barack Obama with praise following the death of Osama bin Laden, several critics have questioned the manner in which the government disposed of the al-Qaida leader's corpse.
White House officials decided to dump bin Laden into the sea in order to prevent his grave from becoming a shrine for his followers, according to media reports. His body was washed and placed in a white sheet, which was in accordance with Islamic customs.
The Obama administration offered bin Laden's remains to one country, but the nation refused, according to Department of Defense officials. In an effort to conform to Islamic traditions, the burial was conducted within 24 hours of bin Laden's death.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said that he was bothered by the news that the body was disposed of within 24 hours. In an interview on FOX News Radio, Graham said that the Obama administration may have taken "sensitivity too far" and more time should have been devoted to confirming that the corpse was, in fact, bin Laden.
"It would be in our national interests to make a case, documented case, that this was Osama bin Laden," Graham told the news source.