If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
Whenever I'm asked about my reaction to what happened on 9/11, as has happened quite a bit over the weeks leading up the 10th anniversary of the attacks, my mind flashes back to the moment when I first heard that the unthinkable had happened. I was at home in Los Angeles, getting my two daughters, then 10 and 12, ready for school, and thinking about a column I was planning to write that day. In an instant that all changed, of course. As we commemorate 9/11, we should also remember that this is also the 10th anniversary of 9/12, the day when the shock began to wear off, the full dimensions of the tragedy began to become clear, and the US began to decide what its reaction was going to be.
Despite an obvious flair for the dramatic, Indian actor-director Puneet Issar chose a New York City mosque rather than the red carpet to premier his Hindi film, "I Am Singh."
As an American, and as a Muslim, I have found an antidote in strategies and programs that presents an alternative to vilification, a third way toward peace-building and reconciliation.
The greatest tribute we can pay to those who needlessly have lost their lives to hate mongers is to encourage civility and to create a community in which hate is not acceptable. But we are not there yet.
Ten years ago, I walked out of the subway at the World Trade Center and found myself in a war zone. I remember people stunned--horrified--at the gaping holes in the towers. I remember firefighters and police rushing to respond. I remember people crying in the streets, others fleeing on foot.
We have made it through the commemorations of the last 10 years and perhaps we can now say that we will never forget. But first, a traffic light to guide us as we become a 9/12 community.
Ride 2 Recovery has committed the week to biking from Ground Zero to the Flight 93 crash site to the Pentagon, to raise money for wounded veterans.
It is my hope that through this blessing practice we can remind ourselves that this is what it feels like to love. This is what it feels like to know peace.
It is our prayer that this document might be helpful to others in strengthening their commitment to religious pluralism, to justice, and to the healing of our broken and beautiful world.
Over the past few days, as I've welcomed many visitors to our museum on Liberty Street across from the World Trade Center site, I've met some remarkab...
Day one of any Ride 2 Recovery Challenge is usually the most difficult day of the ride, as many new riders come together for the first time.
Being respectful of other opinions as we pursue our legitimate interests around the world today will increase the peacefulness of the human community our children inherit tomorrow.
As we commemorate 9/11, we should remember that this is also the 10th anniversary of 9/12 -- the day when the shock began to wear off, and the country began to decide what its reaction was going to be.
When the Towers fell, we all wanted to help. We spilled out onto the streets to mourn in unison, flooded the relief centers to volunteer and lined up ...
As we approach the tenth anniversary of September 11, we cannot forget the tragedy suffered that day, but we are also reminded of the extraordinary compassion displayed by individuals and communities across the country.
In a culture where fear and anger are primary motivating factors for action, an understanding of love is one of the best tools we have to fight against terrorism and injustice.
