“Osama bin Laden was buried at sea from the deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier because there was no alternative to bury him on land within the 24 hours required by Islamic law, President Barack Obama’s homeland security and counterterrorism adviser said Monday [May 2, 2011]. ‘The disposal of–the burial of bin Laden’s remains was done in strict conformance with Islamic precepts and practices. It was prepared in accordance with the Islamic requirements,’ adviser John Brennan told reporters at a White House briefing. ‘We early on made provisions for that type of burial and we wanted to make sure that it was going to be done, again, in strictest conformance.’ ”
– Chris Lawrence, “‘No Land Alternative’ Prompts bin Laden Sea Burial,” CNN, May 2, 2011