Reflections on the 9/11 anniversary

Greetings!

I had an uneasy feeling as I came to work this morning, especially when I saw a crowd gathered in front of our office building. 

The 9/11 memorial at the World Trade Center in Baltimore displays the mangled iron beams from the remains of World Trade Center Building in Manhattan, New York. This memorial serves not only as a grim reminder of the terrible tragedy, but it also reminds us how we American Muslims, both immigrant as well as indigenous, were caught in the midst, just as equally as the victims of the tragedy, but also for the scorn and suspicion with which we were looked upon. 

While we enjoy the liberty and freedoms this land offers, just as wave after wave of immigrants coming to this country have mostly enjoyed since its founding, the reality is that we are also loved and hated in equal parts by our fellow Americans. So, as I was entering our office building today, I wasn't sure what to expect from the crowd that gathered for a somber ceremony, just like those held across the nation today marking the 12th anniversary of September 11 attacks. They probably had a fair bit of idea about my ethnicity and my religious identity. 

It is important for us American Muslims to realize that unless we take it upon ourselves to engage in civic discourses and to participate in the American Public Square, we will continue to fuel the stereotypes that people may continue to hold about us. It is important for us to participate in the local civic associations, at interfaith groups and to volunteer at schools, food banks and soup kitchens. Just as many before us have made sacrifices to build this nation, we must contribute our share to make it even better. So, they shall know us by the fruits we bear!

We work very hard to build our masajids, communities, schools and other institutions to preserve our culture and religious values. But, this should not leave the impression to our next generation and to those outside our community, that we are in any way disconnected from the larger America. The reality is that we live, breathe and will one day die to be buried in this land! 

Today, I am reminded of Woody Guthrie, the American folk-singer who famously sang:

This Land is Your Land, This Land is my Land ...this land was made for you and Me!

Let us remind ourselves also that "this land was made for" American Muslims like you and me! Let us also remind to our neighbors and fellow Americans, that this land is our land indeed!

Let us take a moment today to thank Allah swt for all the bounties he has bestowed upon us! And let us pray for the unfortunate ones and for peace to prevail everywhere! Ameen!

May Allah reward you for everything you do for the community, your neighborhoods and to make this country a better place for all!