September 11. I remember waking up after a short afternoon nap from 6p.m. to the sound of sirens in the television many years ago. I was going to complain to my father about how loud it was. But after seeing the thick smoke that emanated from the Towers, the first words that came out of my mouth were "Is that for real?" Then I sat there with my family with concerned and wondering eyes... "What the hell was going on?"
Even now, even as investigations make sense of it all, I find myself still baffled as to how... I'm sorry. But I just can't find the word equivalent to describe how evil that act was. The word "evil" is not enough. It is not nearly even a quarter.
I may not be an American. But every year, I remember and I mourn not only for the loss of thousands of lives but for the loss of good will, conscience and HUMANITY of Al Qaeda and the distrust towards the Muslim community.
It is incredibly heartbreaking how one group has tainted the reputation and beliefs of a community which when seen through an untainted, unbiased spectacles is also God-fearing, family-oriented and people loving.
I condemn Al Qaeda, I condemn their act. I condemn all those who thought and continue to think their act was just. But despite the great tragedy of it all, let no one forget what they have done and the heroism that sprung from that catastrophe. Rather, let it inspire us to be better.
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| The victims of 9/11 |
Family and friends... I hardly ever pray. Because I believe that in life, you get what you get not from praying but from doing. But this is an exception. I hope that many of us could say a prayer tonight for those who lost their lives in 9/11 and the families that they left behind.
