9/11
Who would have thought five years ago that something like what took place would ever do? Who would have believed that such event will have such an impact on life and people?
Wars are not new to us, buildings falling, people dieing, hatred and vengeance; they are all not new and have been passed generation after generation since life itself was born, so what makes 9/11 five years ago stand out and become a milestone in the world history to the extent that some is classifying history and pre- 9/11 and post- 9/11?
I still remember that day as if it was only yesterday; I was in Dubai at the time. I had just accepted a job with Bayt.com and was in Dubai for my induction and training. We were located in Dubai Internet City. That morning; I took a walk to the food cort to get myself a bottle of water; as I entered the hall, TV screen around were playing the horrific scene of the two towers on fire; I did not know what caused it by then and I went back to the office.
I told my colleagues what I saw and they did not believe me at the beginning. They tried to log on CNN but it was overloaded and could not be opened, so we went to BBC and they had already uploaded the video of the plane crashing into the trade center; everything went silent.
Some of my ex-colleagues had their relatives or friends in New York and they thought that they might actually be in one of the towers for matters concerning work. They started calling to make sure their relatives were safe and unharmed.
No one can deny that this was a human tragedy like any other war activity. The huge negaive impact resulting from that day is still ongoing and will never end. It indeed changed so many views and conviction whether on our side or the Americans side, and yes I do believe that it changed the world completely because the world is built upon people and people changed after that day.
People tend to generalize and stereotype individuals coming from the same ethnicity and/or religion to be the same as their convictions; they never stop to think that the majority might actually be different. I was reading through some of the blogs today about this painful memory, and some argued that Americans hate Arabs now and I bleieve that this is the saddest and most negative result of this event, although I believe that the majority are being cautious and seriously who can blame them?
I know how they must have felt when they were following the news and watching the towers collapse over and over; I felt the same when Amman attacks took place last November and I was really angry and sad even though I had no relatives or even friends in the places that were hit.
What I am trying to say that there is nothing worth losing human lives in bulk regardless of where and how it happens; human life is and should be sacred to all of us.
I say that 9/11 changed us, not the world and this on its own is a major milestone in our history!!
September 11th, 2006 at 2:23 am
I remember reading several articles in the newspapers back then where writers predicted this incident to be a mielstone in history. They started the whole before and after 11/9.
I wonder if those writers were smart enough to predict how much change it would affect the world, or their words are what triggered some leaders to take certain paths!
Neverthuless, it was a tragedy. A tragedy that not only those victims have paid for, but all of the Americans and the Arabs are still paying for the consequences till now.
September 11th, 2006 at 2:24 am
I feel more sorry for the victims now than I did 5 years ago. Just like Islam was hijacked by Al Qaeda , the reason for the death of the victims on 9/11 was hijacked by Bush and his administration and was taken as a reason to kill other innocent people in the world to become more rich and powerful.
September 11th, 2006 at 2:42 am
Yes it changed us, as it made us feeling guilty of a crime that we never have committed (as it is a fact now that the Gov was involved, so as the a pretext to invasion of our countries, and robbing our Oil). I feel we are so stupid for submitting for the guilt complex for a crime we never have any role in. All what we see as tapes for Bin and his group are fabricated tapes made by CIA and other agencies, as they have perfected the technology to do so in MIT (that was published earlier the same year).
They used Bin and his team so good and they probably have him in prison or killed, or he really works for them. I just feel on top of them killing their people. They have killed 100 times more from us fo no crim we comitted. This shuld not have gone unchecked. Instead, every country of ours compete to prove that we have terrorists, and they are being erradicated.What misery, what a humiliation.
Finally, we should reject blackmailing us, and we should treat their citizens the same way they treat ours, as we value our citizens as thet do theirs. We should take them to international court, and ask them for solid proofs of their accusations, and ask for criminal prosecution of their leaders and every person involved in this crime of the cetnury.
Demand equal access to their media to fight our case .
September 11th, 2006 at 6:55 am
I wrote a post earlier about what I went through on that day. My best friend from high-school lives and works in NYC and at the time she only lived a few blocks away from the WTC. I’ll never forget how scared I was during that time period when I didn’t know whether she was alive or dead. Thank God she was spared.
I remember going through the same thing calling my fiance in Amman last November… And in 1991, it was me making the phone call to reassure my parents that I was ok, when I was here on vacation and the war broke out…
“What I am trying to say that there is nothing worth
losing human lives in bulk regardless of where and
how it happens; human life is and should be sacred
to all of us.”
Amen, to that. I couldn’t have said it better.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:30 am
” What I am trying to say that there is nothing worth losing human lives in bulk regardless of where and how it happens; human life is and should be sacred to all of us. ”
I agree on THIS !
CheeerZ!
September 11th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Most Americans don’t hate Arabs.
For most of us, even those of us (like myself and Jihad Watch’s Robert Spencer, for example) who are skeptical about what Islam ultimately stands for, we understand that Arabs (and non-Arab Muslims) are just people and that most people are just trying to get about their lives as best they can and don’t wish ill on anybody.
The vast majority of the world’s people are reasonable. That is a constant regardless of whatever religion people practice. Most of us haven’t altered our lives in any particular way with regards to Arabs or anybody else. My mother even went to the restaurant of an immigrant Lebanese Muslim we know on 9/11 just to show solidarity and to show that she wasn’t about to shun anybody because of this incident.
At the same time we, Americans and westerners in general, are often frustruated with the seeming intractability and ubiquity of Islamic extremism, and some of us are frustrated by the apparent tolerance for such extremism in some quarters of the Islamic community. Some attribute the extremism to “bad apples,” some to Islam itself. Many are skeptical that a truly moderate version of Islam is possible or, if it is possible, that it can prevail over more extreme interpretations. We just don’t know.
September 11th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Tommy,
When Bush labeled Islam with Fashism, when the Neocons who control and run the the US Gov relentlessly keep attacking Islam and spread lies about it. When the networks of Talk Shows hosts keep attacking Islam and Muslims, the natural reaction of the Muslim masses is reacting in self defence. Allah instructs muslims to live in peace and harmony with all people in the world. we have no hate even to the people who did us wrong as long as they stop their aggression against our people. I invite you to study Islam and see for yourself its teaching and compare it to all other religions.
We certainly have no extremism as you say, as its a non stop propaganda that keep spreading that we are.
I like to state though, that we are loving people, who would not submit to agression. We never tolerated occupation and we never will. We have a guaranteed right as every human to defend ourselves, and properties. Let your country leave us alone and see if we will cause them any grief. America was loved by arabs and never had a problem with the masses except when it started its new colonial policy of occupying their countries and stealing their Oil.
Arabs are well known through history that they will defend their rights, take back what belong to them, even if it takes decades, and believe it or not they always do.
We are a live nation, that may sleep, or get sick, but for sure wll never die. As our survival is due to belief in the ever lasting Almighty Allah, and adherence to His message.
What some people may call “bad apples’, are such because they they are reacting to extreme injust policies the US trying to impose on our region. We are FREE PEOPLE and we will always strive to to protect that freedom ( we certainly don’t need the US to protect our freedom, we are fully cabable of doing so). Some entities use the fact that we are peacful and patient, but make no mistake to take that as a sign of weakness. We cherish our independence, and sooner or later all of these puppit regims will vanish.
When the number of our people killed by your country is 100 times more than the estimated Americans killed in 911, that certainly confirm the savage and inhuman policies and behavior of the invading forces (Although we has nothing to do with 911 (it was a fabricated incident that was plotted and executed by the US and others that benefitted from the waged wars against Islam and Muslims)
Islam is a peacfull, yet a just religion. It permits its followers to defend themselves, and no one can deny us the right to do so. So leave our countries in peace, respect our
Freedom that you are trying to take away with the excuse of terrorism (which the US and the west in general are well known to be just that)
Through our history we didn’t come to your country and tried to take it over, steal your Oil, rape your women and torture and kill your civilians even children and women. Yet you did all of that and you still dare to call us extremist. Its amazing how is the wolf pretend to be the sheep.
I could keep going on and on and bring all evidences from near and old history, but I think you can read on your own. All what I ask you , is to have the decensy of being fair and do to others what you like others to do to you.
May Allah protect the Muslims from the wars and destruction your war machine intend to start.
May Allah guide you to see the truth of Islam. As we ask Him to grant us refuge from the colonialists, their aggressions and lies.
You may be surprised to find out that we still Love you.
We do because Islam teachs us love not hate ( Real Christianity ,which Bush is not one of its followers, teaches as well), but it will not tolerate injustices, even if it is commited for some reason by some of its followers. That is the beauty of Islam that your media, and politians keep attacking 24 hours a day and 365 days a year non stop. Barking of dogs will never hide the shinning sun . May Justice prevail so Peace on Eearth can prevail.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
Abdullah,
I’m sure you are a great guy, but I disagree with you on several issues.
When Bush labeled Islam with Fashism, when the Neocons who control and run the the US Gov relentlessly keep attacking Islam and spread lies about it. When the networks of Talk Shows hosts keep attacking Islam and Muslims, the natural reaction of the Muslim masses is reacting in self defence.
Maybe. But that was all after 9/11. It is kind of like the liberals in our society saying our problem with the Muslims is Iraq. That doesn’t explain why Muslim extremists killed thousands of our citizens well before the invasion of Iraq.
The attacks of 9/11 hardly constitute “self-defense.”
I invite you to study Islam and see for yourself its teaching and compare it to all other religions.
Islam is a peacfull, yet a just religion.
I’m not an expert, but I have looked into Islam for myself. No offense, but I don’t come to the conclusion that Islam is necessarily a peaceful religion. Some of the things in the Qur’an and the Hadiths don’t seem peaceful or pleasant.
I’m an agnostic, by the way. I lean towards being an athiest. I doubt, but don’t totally discount the possibility, that God exists.
Through our history we didn’t come to your country and tried to take it over, steal your Oil, rape your women and torture and kill your civilians even children and women. Yet you did all of that and you still dare to call us extremist.
There is a long history of jihad against nonbelievers, be they Jews, Christians, Hindus, Zoroastrians, etc.
There is also a history of oppression of non-Muslims in the form of dhimmitude.
You may be surprised to find out that we still Love you.
I appreciate that and I feel the same about most Muslims.
I’m not here to debate all of these historical and political issues on this blog. I know that Khalidah isn’t big on politics and that a post concerning 9/11 isn’t her regular fare. You can find me elsewhere, like at Sandmonkey’s, if you want to talk about these sort of things. I just wanted to clarify some misconceptions and provide a little insight into how Americans feel about Arabs and Muslims these days.
September 12th, 2006 at 12:10 am
Abdullah,
I understand where Tommy is coming from and the answer is certainly not telling him and the millions of Americans like him that Islam is peaceful and that we are good people while we do nothing to prove our words …
I can see why they are skeptical about everything we say about how Islam is a good and peaceful religion because the media played a dirty role in this … like they show the Arab and Muslim masses that ALL Americans hate us; they showed the Americans clips of people dancing with joy when the towers were hit …
The gap is way too big to bridge with only words because actions speak louder than words …
Most American people do not agree with the US foreign policy so we cannot tell them (the American people) to leave us alone and that we have the right to defend ourselves and our lands … what we need to show them and demonstrate to them that we too do not agree with those who hijacked Islam and committed crimes in its name … we have to make them see that we are on the same side .. fighting the same battle against extremism … only then we can preach peacefulness of Islam and its greatest features and teachings … because you have to create the tendency in them to learn and listen .. otherwise you will be wasting time and fighting the wrong battle …
Tommy;
What Abdullah is trying to do here (in my opinion) is to show you that Islam was not demonstrated in 9/11 and that what happened that day is not coming from the teachings of Islam … Our beloved prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has taught us that a muslim must be humble and nice to people, he even advised us to speak in low tone out of respect to our listeners … do you believe that someone who gives such teachings would instruct his followers to be aggressive and give them a license to kill??
It is complicated and I understand your position very well … but I ask you to give a chance for debate … maybe you will be convinced after a while that Islam was not and still is not and will never be behind any terrorist attack of any kind …
If you have a wonderfully made machine that can never go wrong and you have caluclated every possible scenario and made sure you have a solution ready … but when someone is to operate that machine turns out to do things the wrong way and in a manner that is completely unpredicted or calculated; who would you blame if the machine was damaged or broken or the product was so bad? would you blame the machine for not predicting human behavior? or you would blame the person who did not study how to operate the machine correctly?
So is the case with any religion; we cannot blame the religion itself when those who apply it are doing it completely wrong …
You are right on me not being a political blogger and I like to stay away from it … but I look at 9/11 as a human tragedy that deserves to be talked about
Please do come back here
September 12th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Thank you Khokha for trying to explain to Tommy, but I ask tommy to prove to me beyond any reasonable doubt that 911 was orchestrated by Arabs and Muslims. The internet is full of proofs that its an inside job, or at least done with the agreement of teh US Gov, 911 does not serve us Muslims, yet serve the US Gov and Israel very well. With 911 excuse, US waged war on and occupied Iraq (which has nothing to do with 911).
It stole and still steal our OIL (now its no more 911 excuse its spreading Democracy, and freedom…hogwash)
You have not addressed the colonialism attitude and trend of the American Gov and congress. The way I see it Mr. Tommy that you have no case you have to admit that your GOv made the lie and believe it.
Don’t take me worng I am not inviting you to be a Muslim. I am inviting you to be just, which I am not expecting from you any way, but hoping may be.
I will repeat to you and the whole world, we reject your accusations and your story of 911 as it has BIG holes more than swiss cheese. We challenge you to a court of LAW. Law that you brag about following yet you never submit to it. the only law you believe in is MIGHT IS RIGHT. Its sad when you seek justice from the accuser who is the judge at the same time.
We need no justice from you, just get the hell out of our land and stop killing our chidren, and women. And most of all stop selling us morality, democracy, and Freedom. As I doubt you have any of that in your own country. Your country men are so scared to say the truth and stand for it. If you are true why you dont sign to the International court agreement. Why do you even need the petriot act. King George has spread his wings on America with his Big Corps allied forces. Once America get out of being a thirld world country, then you can come back and argue.
As all people with logic and common decency they see what war monger US do in the Arab and Muslim world, although I do not object to your choice to not believe in God I cannot see wasting time to argue with you because if a person cannot see the most obvious (that God exist ) how to expect that he will see the hidden satanic plot. I am addressing the wole US here who can read me. Wake up before its too late, as you are going down the drain of history. NO STATE OR COUNTRY HAS SURVIVED WITH INJUSTICE, JUSTICE THAT MAKE STATES LAST AS ALLAH THE ULTIMATE JUSTICE WON’T ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE.
LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE AND WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN, BECAUSE LEADING THE WORLd CANNOT BE DONE BY FORCE BUT BY AN EXAMPLE OF JUSTICE WHICH YOU DO NOT REPRESENT OR EVEN COME NEAR TO IT.
AS for us Arabs, i will repeat again we are kind people, forgiving, but to a limit, so don’t try your luck. Our flesh and blood are poisonous, and it will take time for that poison to take effect but its ceratin, and lethal and no antidot for it.
I tried not to get into politics, but this is not politics, this is unbarable injsut and agression against Humanity and us as Musilms and Arabs, and God help us as we always stand to agression and injustice, like when we stood against the Mugul and Crusaders, but we always prevail, even after a while, not becasue we are super people, but because we are defending the TRUTH, and we realize what price we pay for that.
September 12th, 2006 at 4:59 am
Abdullah my dear;
You have drawn this debate out of proportion and there was no need to attack Tommy or the Americans … it is very simple … the people in the street are not fully aware of the real situation because of the media and what it spreads …
I am really glad that we have people like Tommy who are reaching out and trying to understand beyond what they hear and see on CNN and Fox … he is talking to us … Arab Muslims who have to take this opportunity to give him a better insight on things and make him see the things that he missed before … It will not happen by telling him to get the hell out of our country and stop stealing our oil and that we will prevail like the crusaders days … this is the exact attitude that Tommy is talking about … so let’s be reasonable and take the hand that has been extended to us in peace and harmony …
You and Tommy are both readers in this blog and I don’t want to see you both clashing because you do not know how to communicate so please calm down and try to listen and then respond … Tommy is not the enemy here
September 12th, 2006 at 5:47 am
I STILL CANNOT TAKE BLAME FOR A CRIME THAT WE NEVER COMITTED IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND RESORT TO DEFEND OURSELVES. AND WILL NOT ACCEPT THE REASONING BEHIND INVADING OUR COUNTRIES. CAUSE OCCUPATION IS OCCUPATION NO MATTER WHAT.
OUR ENEMY IS NOT TOMMY AS A PERSON, OUR ENEMY IS THE MACHINE THAT KEEP GENERATING LIES ABOUT US AND EXPECTING US TO CONFIRM TO ITS WELL.
September 12th, 2006 at 6:05 am
Ya Abdullah,
Tommy here in his comments did not accuse you or Muslims in general with anything .. in fact; if you go back and read his comment; he is expressing his frustration towards extremism and is stating clearly that he has nothing against Arabs and/or Muslims and that he is convinced that we are reasonable people who want to live like the rest of the world …
In his second comment; he was answering your comment and responding to the things that you stated and he felt that he disagrees with you on them which is notmal in any debate I guess …
No body asked you to defend yourself for something you did not commit and by that I assume that you are talking about all Muslims cause you have your own convictions … when it comes to 9/11 there are many theories and rumors (I might say) … you can believe whatever you want but at the same time you cannot expect that everyone believes what you do … you have to agree to disagree and be open for your points being rejected and/or defied.
Having said that; I really don’t like to talk about politics or religion related issues as people tend to become passionate and sensitive when discussing such matters … this will lead to fights or accusations that I do not appreciate to be present on my politics/religion free blog … I like to keep it this way …
Of course you are welcome to comment and participate in any debate provided it remains focused on the main issue and does not imply any aggression towards other participants …
Although I am sure you are aware of this fact, but I must bring it to your attention that usage of all capital letters on a blog/email/chat is considered shouting
No hard feelings ok?
September 12th, 2006 at 6:32 am
Anolita,
Thanks. I realize that the vast majority of Muslims are not the problem and that most Muslims find a lot of good and nothing bad in their religion. Like I said, people are people. I also realize that Muslims are often the victims of terrorism. The bombings in Amman a few years ago spring to mind. The extremists are a problem for all decent people.
Abdullah,
I am well aware how popular conspiracy theories are in the Muslim world. In fact, just a short while ago, I watched a brief online movie from MEMRI discussing the phenomenon:
http://memrifilms.org/
However, such conspiracy theories are invariably ridiculous. I’m not about to get into the process of systematically debunking each and every one of them – there are so many of them. However, I can refer you to a few resources you might want to check out:
Here is a site with lots of information:
http://www.debunking911.com/
Here is a blog debunking the movie Loose Change:
http://screwloosechange.blogspot.com/
Finally, the editors of Popular Mechanics have come out with a book debunking 9/11 conspiracy theories that you may want to check out:
http://www.amazon.com/Debunking-11-Myths-Conspiracy-Theories/dp/158816635X/sr=1-1/qid=1158066637/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-4882765-6331068?ie=UTF8&s=books
That is all I’m going to say about such conspiracy theories.
September 12th, 2006 at 7:03 am
Yes I may have precived as shouting, but I was just emphysizing my points with capital letters. I will agree with you to let go on one condition though.
To feel for the 100 times more of the 3000 or so killed in 911
by the American killing machine with no sin they have committed or caused. That is no politics here or religion . As human life is human life no matter what side of a conflict is and they are equally regrarded as such, no life is cheaper than the other.
I hate 911 and hate who orchastrated it, as it brought out the worst in people of all sides, and indeed its the crime of the century because till this moment the real criminals has not brought to justice, and they are protected by their might and influence…. ok ok no politics
September 12th, 2006 at 7:08 am
Abdullah,
You can’t help it … can you?
The whole point of this post is feeling with the victims and their families … those who died on that day and continue to die on different days in all spots of the world …
As I said in my post … “What I am trying to say that there is nothing worth losing human lives in bulk regardless of where and how it happens; human life is and should be sacred to all of us.”
So it is me preaching that from the beginning, right? I am not the one who tried to turn this debate into political/religious circus
September 12th, 2006 at 7:59 am
Khoka,
Politics in the west is the Art of Lying, while it should be the Art of leading and serving your constituents.
One the other hand, religion is the way of life, and you cannot live if you have no way of life. We have argued these things me and you for long and you know where I stand.
People are free to select what ever they want , as our Lord Allah has guranteed that freedom of belief and gave no one any right to impose any on any . I respect that and all should as well.
Yes I cannot help it dear
:*
September 12th, 2006 at 8:04 am
Tommy,
Chear up buddy, come and join me for falafel sandwitch in Abul 3abid restaurent. Bring your Mom she is welcomed as well, and send her our regards, and love
Aboudi “The Arab American”
September 12th, 2006 at 8:05 am
oops,
sorry for all typos, cheer instead of chear and Khoka instead of Khoka, what a day !
September 25th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
I was deeply pained and aggrieved when the twin towers fell to the design of a few who chose not to value human lives.
I am a Hindu but when I hear the evening wafting through the soft breeze I feel great peace and a sense of never-ending expanse – but I do not feel hatred.
But to me, September 11 is just another human tragedy. I, like you, see human tragedies often in my country and to me they are as much of a sad milestone as September 11. I believe we are more touched when we see the fall of high and mighty. Scale moves us.
It’s my urdent prayer that someday good sense will prevail – people will not only tolerate different faiths and beliefs but they will respect them all. My Guru Sri ramakrishna used to say – like the radii of a circle, closer you are to the center (truth)nearer are all the diverse beliefs.
God and Truth existed before any religion or prophet was ever born. Love for all is what each religion finally try to impress us on with. Allah is merciful and let His followers not be dreadful. Christ is merciful, let Christians live in love. the ancient Hindu philosophy says – like the white light that splits into its spectrum constituents, so is the one Truth (one God) appears as many.
September 25th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
I am a Hindu but when I hear the evening wafting through the soft breeze I feel great peace and a sense of never-ending expanse – but I do not feel hatred. – I meant – the evening namaz wafting through the soft breeze I feel great peace and a sense of never-ending expanse – but I do not feel hatred.
My Guru Sri Ramakrishna Pramahansa took to both Christianity and Islam – to see if all paths lead to one Great Truth. he was satisfied they did. God is personal – it is a path as narrow as a razor’s edge – we can not approach Him in a group – we should pray to Allah in the quiet of our mind and the stillness of our heart.
September 26th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Tommy and others, why cannot you be as fair as this guy?
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article15098.htm