Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New Yorkers Fantasize About What They'd Do With Bin Laden's Body
By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 2, 2011
Modified May 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published May 2, 2011
Modified May 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After US armed forces found and killed Osama bin Laden, they reportedly buried his body at sea. And though the Telegraph says bin Laden's body was treated "according to Islamic custom, which would have meant it being washed and shrouded by Muslims," the watery burial was most likely done to avoid a shrine to the terrorist being built around his grave. However, the Post spoke to some New Yorkers with their own ideas about how bin Laden's burial should have gone. Here are some choice quotes:
- "Hang his body from the Empire State Building."
- "I'd put the body in a plane without a pilot and crash it into the Victory Arch [in Baghdad]."
- "I'd bronze it and stick it in Central Park!"
- "I'd throw it in the middle of this mob right now, let them deal with it."
- "I am Muslim. I would cremate him because he is not a good Muslim. We should burn his body in New York. Muslims are not supposed to be cremated. It is against our religion."
AP reports that a DNA sample has proved with 99.9 percent confidence that the body was bin Laden's, and there are reportedly "photographs of the body with a gunshot wound to the side of the head that shows an individual who is not unrecognizable as bin Laden." But the "deathers" are out in full force already, questioning why his body was disposed of so quickly. Former British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer said, "I think we will see some evidence—DNA or photographic—to prove there is not still some phantom Osama bin Laden riding the Tora Bora mountains." And nothing can be done until we have his long-form death certificate. Until then, Americans can continue to imagine how they'd like it defiled. Invasive TSA search, anyone?
Tagged
al-qaeda
body
burial
Osama bin Laden
terror
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Brooklyn election boss changes party’s election rules to stay in power
One of the leaders of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, Frank Seddio, is facing scrutiny for the changes because he also happens to be an election commissioner tasked with holding up the foundation of democracy in the borough.
By
Brigid Bergin
Published Sep 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
How to get around as J'Ouvert, West Indian American Day parade take over Brooklyn
It's one of the largest cultural celebrations of the year in New York City.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
How to get around as J'Ouvert, West Indian American Day parade take over Brooklyn
It's one of the largest cultural celebrations of the year in New York City.
By
Catalina Gonella
Early Addition: Bodysurfing with the jellyfish in the Rockaways
By
James Ramsay
Gloria Steinem, feminist icon and longtime Upper East Side resident, has died at 92
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Manhattan declares Dolly Parton Appreciation Day for Sept. 25
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .