Osama Bin Laden, or Usāmah bin Muḥammad bin `Awaḍ bin Lādin, is a household name after the September 11, 2001 attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Politicians and the media in many countries credit him with founding a major terrorist organisation called the Al-Qaeda. He has occupied the No.1 spot on FBI’s most wanted Terrorists list for years. Though the FBI don’t officially blame 9/11 attacks on him, on the FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Terrorists’ site, a $25 million reward is being offered for information leading directly to his apprehension or conviction.
What would happen to you if you decide to dress up as Osama Bin Laden just for fun, or at a fancy dress party? Can you get into trouble with the law?
One man had to find out the hard way. News reports claim that a senior British police officer, Chief Supt Colin Terry had dressed up as Osama for a carnival parade at the Cornish village of Grampound. Then he was sacked from his duty in Afghanistan, where he is helping to train a police force among the locals. In 24 years of distinguished service, he represented his force at a memorial service at Ground Zero in New York. He is now being investigated over his “inappropriate and unacceptable” costume by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and has apologized to police and carnival organizers for his ‘error in judgement’.
What would’ve happened if Chief Supt Terry had used his carnival outfit for going around in Afghanistan? Osama is widely believed to be in hiding somewhere in the mountains of Afghanistan. Imagine the scene, two Osamas accidentally bumping into each other.
Is it a crime and felony to dress up as a well-known public figure for a joke or as a parody?
In the news media, we usually see a storm of protests everywhere the current US president George Bush visits, and many of the protesters wear Bush masks. They are not thrown into jail because of wearing a Bush mask. Of course, comparing president Bush with Osama Bin Laden is a lame comparison, one is the president of a great country and the other one is not. In societies where lampooning political leaders and public figures has a history of many centuries and is an integral part of the socio-political culture, political correctness can ruin the day.
Remember when Prince Harry dressed up as a Nazi at a private fancy dress party and people were aghast that a royal should do so?
Maybe Chief Supt Terry dressed up as Osama in order to get thrown out of Afghanistan.
#2 by Lauren Axelrod Sep 17, 2008
My very simple thought is that people can do as they like. We are still a democracy or are we? If someone wants to take that chance and possibly put their life in danger by angering hundreds of people, that's their choice.
#3 by Ruby Hawk Sep 18, 2008
It is a free country but I think anyone who dressed as a nazi here would'nt make any friends. I doubt anyone would notice someone dressed as Osama Bin Laden. Best wishes,Ruby
#4 by George Sep 22, 2008
It's pretty risky to dress up as a terrorist.
#5 by Janus Sep 24, 2008
It's very irresponsible to dress up as a known terrorist. There are many people who adore violence and they get role models and strange ideas. It's a shame that a high ranking police officer does this kind of stupid thing.
#6 by Osm68 Sep 27, 2008
It is very arrogant and irresponsible to dress up as Osama Bin Laden and make fun of other culture.
#7 by Sardar Oct 13, 2008
Good point.People should consider the consequences of their actions.
#8 by G Nov 22, 2008
Good on him for doing it! I'm sick of all this PC garbage - only the the goody-goodies of society are offended by this kind of thing. The same goody-goodies that are destroying our country piece by piece.
I would go as Bin Laden for a fancy dress party - it's a bit of fun!
Maybe Chief Supt Terry dressed up as Osama in order to get thrown out of Afghanistan.