In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

At long last, the criminal behind many of the worst atrocities of the Bosnian War – Ratko Mladic – was arrested today in Serbia. At long last, man behind the massacre of Muslims in Srebrenica; the man behind the brutal siege of Sarajevo; the man who commanded systematic rape of women, will finally face justice. At long last, the families of the victims of the Bosnian War, who still live with the grief and pain of their horrific loss, can rest easier knowing that the butcher of Sarajevo will face trial for what he has done.

It calls to mind these verses of the Qur’an:

“And, withal, we have come to know that we can never elude God [while we live] on earth, and that we can never elude Him by escaping.” (72:12)

“LET IT NOT deceive thee that those who are bent on denying the truth seem to be able to do as they please on earth: it is [but] a brief enjoyment, with hell thereafter as their goal – and how vile a resting-place!” (3:196-197)

Now, despite his horrific crimes and hatred, I can’t say that Mladic is going to hell. Only God will determine that. Yet, his arrest shows that, no matter how long one can hide, no matter how long one thinks he can escape justice, its long arm will eventually take him in. May Ratko Mladic face the punishment he so justly deserves.

His is the face of pure hatred: slaughtering innocent Muslim men and boys for no reason other than they are Muslim. Raping innocent women for no other reason that they were Muslim (and Croats). Casuing so much pain and suffering and torture to “cleanse” the land from human beings who were of a different religious background. After the world said “Never Again,” it happened again, and this monster Mladic was behind it. At last, he is no longer a free man.

I look forward to his standing trial at The Hague for his crimes. I look forward to his being punished for his crime. I look forward to knowing that this monster will spend the rest of his life behind bars. May Ratko Mladic face the punishment he so justly deserves.

God is in charge, and thus, Justice will always win out.