Pakistan PM says nation giving "Befitting Reply" to Indian strikes    Health Minister orders expansion of residency training programmes to strengthen medical workforce    Egypt steps up export reforms with focus on quality standards, market insights, and global expansion    Egypt's FRA warns against unlicensed financial investment schemes    Gaza faces humanitarian collapse amid escalating Israeli offensive, healthcare breakdown    CIB Egypt extends EGP 2.45bn bridge loan to SODIC for North Coast 'June' project    Al Ismaelia, Coventry University Cairo partner on urban development education    Egypt's net FX reserves rise to $48.144b in April – CBE    Egypt's EDA backs local vaccine industry    Eurozone services stagnate, manufacturing lifts growth    Oman, Algeria agree on $298m investment, energy deals    Cabinet hails WHO measles-free status as milestone in Egypt's health reforms    Egypt's Public Business Min., EHA chairman explore cooperation    Euronext supports EU defence financing with new measures    Egypt's business leader hails tax relief package as key to trust    Israel expands Gaza offensive, drawing international condemnation    Egyptian FM addresses Arab Women Organization Conference opening    Egypt's Sisi praises Bohra community's restoration efforts of Islamic sites    Egypt, Saudi Arabia deepen health sector cooperation with comprehensive MoU    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    "5,000 Years of Civilizational Dialogue" theme for Korea-Egypt 30th anniversary event    Sudan conflict, bilateral ties dominate talks between Al-Sisi, Al-Burhan in Cairo    Cairo's Madinaty and Katameya Dunes Golf Courses set to host 2025 Pan Arab Golf Championship from May 7-10    Between Women Filmmakers' Caravan opens 5th round of Film Consultancy Programme for Arab filmmakers    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Ancient military commander's tomb unearthed in Ismailia    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM praises ties with Tanzania    Egypt to host global celebration for Grand Egyptian Museum opening on July 3    Ancient Egyptian royal tomb unearthed in Sohag    Egyptian Minister praises Nile Basin consultations, voices GERD concerns    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



10 years later: did the terrorists win?
Published in Bikya Masr on 07 - 09 - 2011

CAIRO: Even ten years later, the memory of the 9/11 attacks is still present. While the terrorists achieved the physical destruction they set out to create, they failed to accomplish their goal of inciting all-out hatred between Muslims and the West. As such, on this 10th anniversary of 9/11, the most fitting legacy would be to reach out to our neighbours and to those who are different from us.
In 2002, I was selected to be a participant in a programme for young media professionals run by the U.S. Department of State. I travelled from Egypt – where I work as a freelance journalist – to the United States. I visited Washington, DC; New York; Illinois; Seattle and Texas in 21-days. At dawn on 11 September 2002, we headed to Manhattan to visit the site where the World Trade Center collapsed and commemorated the first anniversary of the attacks. Looking out over the site where the Twin Towers once stood, I observed that it had become an almost empty stretch of land, surrounded by a small fence.
During the commemoration ceremony, I realised the magnitude of pain and suffering that Americans felt as a result of that treacherous attack. I could not help but notice that all the Americans present – Muslims, Jews, Christians and others– were overtaken by deep emotion.
Afterwards I traveled through several American states. I noticed that the majority of the Muslims I met during my tour emphasized that they were American and expressed a deep sense of belonging to this land.
In Seattle, I remember meeting an Egyptian immigrant named Samir Al-Arabi, who owned a shop selling traditional Egyptian artifacts. He told me: “On the day following the attacks, I found people waiting for me at the door of my shop. They knew I was a Muslim immigrant and they asked if I had been harassed or harmed, or if I had perceived any discrimination for being Muslim.” Sometimes, he explained, he would find a bunch of flowers, or a letter that had been pushed under the store's front door, with an offer to help him if he was ever harassed. Al-Arabi added: “I felt reassured as a Muslim immigrant who was becoming worried about his status in the United States after September 11 and I was grateful for this spirit of brotherhood. I felt true love for America and content with my life here.”
I heard similar remarks from many people on my visit to America. I also learned from discussions with a number of officials at civil society organisations focusing on Arab and Muslim affairs that they were involved in concerted efforts to convince Muslims of the need for their political and social participation in American society. These organisations encouraged positive integration and helped Muslims avoid the potential for isolation as a community.
I also participated in discussions between Americans and citizens and journalists from Muslim-majority countries facilitated through the Internet, video conferencing and in-person cultural exchanges.
These conversations were only one result of 9/11. There were other consequences as well – all certainly unintended. For instance, many religious leaders in the Arab world spoke of the need to update religious sermons for the contemporary world, criticizing extremism, and using evidence from the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the words and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) to show that Islam does not condone terrorism.
Additionally, inter-religious dialogue flourished. Prominent leaders from the three Abrahamic faiths met with one another and expressed the desire for positive coexistence. One of the many important initiatives that developed was World Interfaith Harmony Week, proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan. It was adopted unanimously by the United Nations on 20 October 2010 as an annual event.
The King's suggestion was based on the work of a group of Muslim figures who started the Common Word initiative in 2007 with an open letter to Christians about the commonalities between Islam and Christianity. Over 70 Christian religious leaders and institutions, including representatives from the Vatican, responded in writing. Such initiatives were a significant step toward global dialogue between Christians and Muslims.
Looking at all the events that have taken place over the past decade, it is clear that though terrorists may have succeeded in committing a crime, they failed to achieve their goal.
###
* Yasser Khalil is an Egyptian researcher and journalist. This article is part of a series marking the tenth anniversary of 9/11 written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).
BM


Clic here to read the story from its source.