“Let us forgive each other — only then will we live in peace.”

– Leo Tolstoy

Today is September 9th.  In two days, we will observe the ninth anniversary of the attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.  I can remember that morning as though it were yesterday.  It was unusual for me to have the television on at that time of day, but I was ironing and had turned on a morning news show for distraction.  When the images of the towers appeared and the commentary began, I thought I was watching a movie; and I remember thinking I had tuned into the wrong channel.  Tragically, what unfolded that day was all too real, and the world has been forever changed by a group of hate-filled people who hide behind religion and use it to justify their terroristic acts.  My own faith tells me that I should forgive my enemies, but I am challenged to question whether I have forgiven the acts of 9/11.

As the day of remembrance approaches, the news is filled with stories of fear and hatred toward muslims, who are being blamed for the acts of a few people who do not even respect the mandates of peace and brotherhood that lie at the heart of Islam.  There have been threats to destroy a mosque that is planned for a spot near ground zero.  One self-proclaimed “man of God” has even proposed a “Burn a Qu’ran Day.”  All of this plays out against the backdrop of Ramadan, a time of fasting and purification for muslims.  We also are in the midst of Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year, which begins the high holidays observed by Jews all over the world.

I can’t help but think of another time — not that long ago — when the fear and desperation of masses of people was harnessed by one man who blamed the Jews for everything bad that ever had happened in the world.    By the time the Holocaust had ended, an estimated 11 million people had died — 6 million of them Jews.  We say that we live in a more enlightened world and that such a thing could never happen again.  I say that we should be careful and consider the places our own fears might lead us.  I have been blessed during my life to know many good people of many different faiths — Islam included — and our similarities have always overridden our different religious beliefs.  Truly, we all are created by the same Creator; and our differences are those we have heaped on top of who we were created to be.  There will always be evil in the world; and it is a natural thing to recoil and be afraid when we are confronted with evil; but the only thing that can defeat evil is goodness and Truth.  We must keep our hearts filled with love and see all others as our brothers and sisters.  May the legacy of 9/11 be one of determination to heal the wounds that afflict our world.  May our love for our brothers and sisters shine like a beacon that will drive the darkness away from our hearts.