In Remembrance of 9/11

Today marks the ninth anniversary of 9/11 - the day 2,752 innocent people were killed when Islamic terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center Towers, the Pentagon and the fields of Pennsylvania. It will forever be etched in our minds, a day that the unthinkable occurred. Alas, the hatred and evil of those jihadists exists in the hearts of other like-minded Islamists around the globe.

Former first lady Mrs. Laura Bush, whose husband was president when the attacks occurred, said on 9/11, "We saw the worst of our enemies, and the best of our nation."

First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama added that she was "filled with awe of the heroism of her fellow [American] citizens."

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who opened the commemoration, said, "No other public tragedy has cut our city so deeply. No other place is as filled with our compassion, our love and our solidarity."

Indeed, the strength, unity and determination of the American people is what helped them move forward and rebuild.

President Barack Obama said, "We have to make sure that we never start turning on each other. And I will do everything that I can, as long as I am president of the United States, to remind the American people that we are one nation under God" (http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/09/11/on-9-11-anniversary-enduring-grief-and-sharp-division/).

I agree that Islam was not responsible for the 9/11 attacks; however, radical and fundamentalist Islam was - one that hates freedom, goodness, peace, and life itself.

I fully support the right to worship and practice one's religion freely. However, building a Muslim cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero is distasteful, insensitive and disrespectful of the victims who lost their lives. There are many other sites to choose from, which is why the push for this particular location is illogical (http://www.ottawasun.com/comment/columnists/salim_mansur/2010/09/09/15297951.html).

I pray that as America's resolve continues to strengthen, all of its citizens remember the importance of living together in a harmonious and respectful manner without abusing the word "phobia" to get their way.

God bless America!