How do we best commemorate 9/11?

Question

I've been reading a lot of things on the internet today about 9/11. A lot of anger and pain of course, all completely understandable. Ceremonies everywhere with bands playing, flags flying and prayers of many sorts.

Here in rural East Texas we did the same today.

But something else happened here over the last few years that I ask you to reflect on.

Although this area is overwhelming Christian and leans towards the Fundamentalist Baptist variety of Christianity we have small Muslim and Jewish communities.

Anwar Khalifi, an immigrant from Egypt has a prosperous homebuilding business and serves as Iman of the Muslim community. Rabbi Neal Katz moved here in 2003 to take up the leadership of the local Jewish community.

And so it came to pass that Rabbi Katz went looking for a home to buy and met Iman Khalifi. He didn't wind up buying a home but the two began meeting for lunch on a regular basis to talk about ways to bring their congregations together.

As a result of these meetings the two groups, Muslim and Jewish, joined forces to build a home under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian organization that helps build houses for the poor.

Together they raised the funds required and then labored to build what they would name "Abraham House", after the spiritual patriarch of Muslims, Jews and Christians. The house was built for a Christian woman, Tamiko Seward, with a 3-year-old son.

Seward remarked that the Muslim and Jewish volunteer builders got along so well, it was impossible to tell who is from what religion.

And that, of course, is the point.

It seems to me that that we should commemorate this day by bringing tolerance to the memory of a terrible act of intolerance, peace to a place of violence, and hope to a scene of despair.

If Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and all people of conscience and decency come together in peace than the hateful, violent minority shall, in that moment, surely be defeated.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I have no great words of wisdom, but the word "decent" stood out for me. I'd like to think most people are 'decent' but it takes getting to know them to find out. That's the difference between stereotyping groups (Jews, Muslims, etc.) and meeting individuals who are part of different ethnic, religious, or cultural groups who are indeed nice, decent people. When you get to know someone it changes how you look at them and changes how you feel about them and that breaks down the barriers. We all tend to be too anonymous these days and I think the best way to commemorate 9-11 is to get out and meet more people and get to know them, just like the what happened in Rillifane's story.

Unfortunately there are some 'bad' people out there and we will undoubtedly meet some of them, but those are generally not representative of an entire group.

When we start looking at other people as decent individuals and not as groups that are stereotyped as "Nazi, radical, terrorist", or whatever, I think we will all be better off.

Answer 2

In no not sure phrases is commemorating nine/eleven a "racist" ritual and no the cause is not considering the fact that the sufferers had been white. What destroys your quick sided little ignorant rant is natural truth, however I bet what does any person like you want data for ? I imply why does it topic that folks from each and every ethnic historical past had been killed to you ? I imply it definitely seems like a lot more idiotic and uniformed to mention that it was once best "white" folks. And you're wholly flawed approximately the United States committing acts of crook-ism foreign. You are in truly want of a few one to tug you clear of Ward Churchill's individual Blog. Because while you say matters like " the U.S has no correct in being in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan." it suggests you quite had been indoctrinated through others who suppose the U.S must take a seat idol at the same time rouge states enable viscous, twisted theologically pushed madmen to release assaults on her with relative impunity. But of direction it sounds such as you view my county similar to every other America basher, so why must I count on the equal from you as I do the folks who truthfully love this land ?

Answer 3

I refuse to live in fear of terrorists. If I do, it gives them power over me. I know that I am in far more danger of getting hit by a car as I cross the street. Most people are far more likely to die of cardiovascular disease or cancer than die as a result of violence.

I try to live a compassionate life (I went vegetarian, then vegan, months after the attacks).

I think our actions matter far more than our beliefs, who we worship, or even whether or not we are religious. There are plenty of amoral people who are deeply religious and plenty of upstanding moral citizens who are atheist/agnostic/nonreligious. After all, the 9/11 attacks were, in a sense, a faith-based exercise.

And unless you knew someone who was harmed by the attacks, you maybe should have gotten over your shock and anger. I live in Washington, DC, and while I was somewhat worried--I worked only blocks from the White House at the time--it really didn't affect me personally. Yes, it was horrifying, and I will never forget the images of the towers falling, but I am not scarred. I did not lose anyone that day, for which I am profoundly grateful.

Live your life. Be kind to others. Don't let fear rule your life.

Answer 4

You have great ambitions.

But such a friendship can never exist. Violence and hatred against others is part of human nature. You can never force a Jewish man to love his Christian brother. Though handfuls of people will learn tolerance, overal, complete transformation can never be achieved.

I'd love to see such kindness between the members of the world. For do we all not have hearts, souls, loves, dreams, yearnings, tears, and blood? Do we not all feel pain and joy?

Our beliefs and hatred is rooted too far to be destroyed so simply. For how can the Jewish people forgive the Christians for what they did so many hundreds of years ago. How can you forgive someone you were taught to hate?

Don't give up on your dream--- but know that it will take such a miracle for it to happen.

Answer 5

My dear friend,
You indicate you have a law degree.Not that you are lawer,but that you have a law degree.I have been following you for some time in an effort to ascertain your beliefs,motives and direction.Your idealistic attitude on most things is commendable and I wouldn't ask you to change or expect that you would if I did ask.Now for a little about anger and pain.

My wife and I were on vacation in the Georgia Mtns.,enjoying beautiful weather,sharing breakfast,relaxing.I turned on the TV at approx. 8:45 A.M.To my horror,I witnessed the tragedy of 9/11 unfold,before my eyes.I don't know exactly how I felt when the magnitude struck me. I was shocked,furious,horrified,almost beyond belief.
My anger mounted as I tried for the first time to contact my sister whose office is(was)exactly 2 blocks from the World Trade Center.Realizing that that would accomplish nothing,I called my other sister in Pennsylvania who was hysterical.You see,my N.Y. sister,speed dialed her within seconds of the first plane hitting the first tower.As my sister recalls---to this very day---she was screaming for her employees to vacate the building and telling my Pennsylvania sisiter to turn on her T.V.There was yelling and screaming and then-----the line went dead.It was two full days before we found out that she was alive---two very long days of calling family,hot lines,waiting and wondering.She was found near her apartment in a daze by her neighbor after two days.She doesn't remember anything from the time the second plane
hit tower two until even after her neighbor found her.All of her office staff survived(32 people).Her secretary lost her son in tower one,my sister lost three of her best friends in tower two.
You ask us to reflect. Habitat for Humanity has provided thousands of people with the oppurtunity to join the society for which so many have been denied.The Salvation Army,Red Cross and literally thousands of other organizations have spent enormous sums of money and donated countless millions of hours to help their fellow man in an effort to better the human condition.
My point?
Although the example you site is to be revered,applauded and justly held up as an example of community and religious
cooperation,it is be no means unique or unusual.
9/11,Pearl Harbor---world changing events.

Answer 6

Continue to accept others regardless of race, cultural differences, gender, sexuality, etc.

Refuse to be intimidated or cowed.

Lend a helping hand.

Be compassionate.

Answer 7

Prayers will do... and be on the look out, so nothing that kind will again happen.

Answer 8

Seek the truth.