Murderer Brought to Justice
The news that Osama Bin Laden has finally paid for his crimes will bring a sense of grim satisfaction to all - except the extreme religious warriors or 'jihadists' - who seek to follow in his footsteps.
The murder of thousands of innocent civilians - including many Muslims it should be recalled - in New York on 9/11 is the most obvious example of Bin Laden's casual disregard for human life.
Contrast that with the behaviour of US special forces earlier today - who spared the lives of Bin Laden's wives and children - as they stormed the 'safe' compound in which he was hiding in North Parkistan.
On a smaller scale and much nearer to home - a young British woman, a young Muslim - is facing the same poisonous cocktail of religious extremism, hatred and intolerence.
Shanna Bukhari is a young Muslim woman from Manchester - who hopes to be the first British entrant to win the Miss Universe competition.
Now you can say what you like about her ambition - but the point is that she has received death threats from Islamic extremists - for daring to take part in what amounts to a beauty/fashion show.
So what?
So did Kate Middleton when she was a student at St Andrews University - and no one batted an eyelid about the behaviour of the country's possible future queen.
To my mind a young woman like Shanna Bukhari represents the future of Islam - a future where young women have the right to be educated, hopeful and ambitious.
And that's the best answer of all - to vile murderers like Bin Laden.
The murder of thousands of innocent civilians - including many Muslims it should be recalled - in New York on 9/11 is the most obvious example of Bin Laden's casual disregard for human life.
Contrast that with the behaviour of US special forces earlier today - who spared the lives of Bin Laden's wives and children - as they stormed the 'safe' compound in which he was hiding in North Parkistan.
On a smaller scale and much nearer to home - a young British woman, a young Muslim - is facing the same poisonous cocktail of religious extremism, hatred and intolerence.
Shanna Bukhari is a young Muslim woman from Manchester - who hopes to be the first British entrant to win the Miss Universe competition.
Now you can say what you like about her ambition - but the point is that she has received death threats from Islamic extremists - for daring to take part in what amounts to a beauty/fashion show.
So what?
So did Kate Middleton when she was a student at St Andrews University - and no one batted an eyelid about the behaviour of the country's possible future queen.
To my mind a young woman like Shanna Bukhari represents the future of Islam - a future where young women have the right to be educated, hopeful and ambitious.
And that's the best answer of all - to vile murderers like Bin Laden.
