Basketball Legend and Muslim Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Comments on the Death of Osama bin Laden in Sporting News:
SN: “As not only a Muslim but a born-and-bred New Yorker, son of a police officer, how did you feel watching the celebratory reactions on American streets after the assassination of Osama bin Laden?”
Abdul-Jabbar: “Killing 3,000 people in one swoop, for no good reason, it’s despicable. So I have no sympathy for Mr. bin Laden—he got what he deserved. I hope for the families who’ve lost loved ones, it’s some type of closure. We’re still involved in dealing with radical Muslims, but in terms of the people who lost loved ones and who are directly affected by Mr. bin Laden’s fanatics, I thought it was a positive development.”*
* “I’ve Always Thought I Had a Lot to Give,” Sporting News Conversation: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Steve Greenberg, Sporting News (May 23, 2011): 38.
Reflections 
I have always liked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and I still feel he is one of the all time greats that has seldom been equaled. I appreciate him as a muslim taking a stand against the radical element of his religion and I believe he serves as an example for others who should speak up as well against the fanatical elements seeking to take over their faith. There is a doctor I believe his name is Jasser who has spoken up against the fundamentalist radicals but has faced threats for this. I think however most muslims in the u.s. should consider the alternatives of appeasement by silence and look at what is happening with more and more terrorism influence happening around the world. Sharia as practiced by radicals cannot be tolerated by any right headed people for all of its degradation and cruelty to humanity especially to women. The u.s. was founded on freedom of religion as well as fundamentalist islam does not want to tolerate any other religion.