Fifth Anniversary of 9/11 [Archives:2006/980/Opinion]
Thomas Krajeski
The fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is a reminder of the inhumanity of terrorist mass murderers whom the world must confront and the shared challenge we face as an international community to confront those who promote hate, destruction and death. The anniversary is an appropriate occasion for the international community to reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terror. No faith condones the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent civilians, and no cause or grievance – no matter how legitimate – can ever justify it.
The victims of September 11th were citizens of more than 90 different countries and adherents of many faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Terror has brought tragedy, destruction, death and terrible grief to innocent people across the world, from Indonesia to Morocco, Spain, Jordan, England, India and Egypt. In the past 10 years, thousands of people of many nations, religions, races, and beliefs have been murdered by acts of terror.
The terrorists, such as those who were responsible for September 11 and those who may be behind the most recent mass murder plot targeting airplanes in London, have long targeted innocent people. Their agenda is to impose a Taliban-like tyrannical regime on the many proud and sovereign nations of the Islamic world, and they have nothing but intolerance for all those who do not share their extremist beliefs – including fellow Muslims.
All major religions, including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, share a commitment to social justice, compassion, concern for the poor, and love of family and community. All these faiths teach that life is precious, and that taking innocent life, including your own, is wrong.
Violent extremists use a perverted religiosity as cover to attempt to justify murder, terror, and violence. Yet such actions are always abhorrent and always wrong, and the international community, the interfaith community and decent men and women everywhere must speak out against those who advocate hate, violence, and terrorism. We call on leaders of all faiths to work for mutual respect and understanding and to send a clear message: that killing oneself and murdering innocent people is always wrong.
Despite al-Qaeda's repeated attempts to characterize the world as being in the midst of a clash of civilizations, the simple fact is that the international community – east and west, north and south – has come together in unprecedented ways to confront common threats and ease human suffering.
America is doing its part, working in partnership with countries throughout the Islamic world to improve the lives of Muslims. America is the largest bilateral donor of aid to the Palestinian people. Americans were the largest providers of help to Muslims affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Pakistan. We provide funds for Muslim girls and boys to go to school, for Muslim women to learn English, for Muslim young people to get training for jobs. And in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are working in partnership with democratically elected Muslim leaders to provide freedom and security for Muslim populations that were brutally repressed under the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.
As we look back on September 11, 2001, we also look forward. We seek to work in a spirit of partnership with people and nations across the world to confront this ideology of hate and foster a climate of hope and opportunity. Americans are not perfect, but we believe the principles of freedom and justice that guide us are right and true for people everywhere. We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in a more peaceful and prosperous world and a better life for people everywhere. And we renew our commitment to our founding conviction that all people are equal and equally deserving of justice, respect, opportunity and dignity.
Thomas Krajeski is the United States Ambassador to Yemen.
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