Early reports after Osama Bin Laden’s death and burial suggested that the United States initially sought to bury him on land in a nearby country. Several reports said Saudi Arabia, his country of birth, was approached, only to deny the request. But Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, a former Pakistani high commissioner, told History that he doubted such rumors, and counterterrorism advisor John Brennan claimed that the Islamic custom of burial within 24 hours of death left the United States with no time to negotiate with other governments (via The New York Times).
Whether they approached any countries about receiving Bin Laden’s remains or not, U.S. officials ultimately chose to bury his body at sea. Islamic burial traditions were still observed. Emails later obtained by the Associated Press (via Al Jazeera) confirmed that the body was washed and covered in a white sheet, and that a translator interpreted delivered rites into Arabic. The body was weighed down and slid into the ocean from the USS Carl Vinson.
Burial at sea isn’t forbidden within Islam, but usually only happens if the deceased dies at sea. Clerics and scholars were divided on the appropriateness of burying Bin Laden in this manner. One even told The Seattle Times that it was a humiliation of Islam, while another said that the body should have been delivered to his family. Barring anyone from the family wanting the body, they argued a grave anywhere on land would have been more appropriate. Others, including Ahmed, allowed that the sea burial effectively removed the shrine issue.
