at rutgers university
psa '02-'03
where we've been
9.11.02, College Avenue Gym
PSA was honored to represent at the Memorial organized by Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity. Our executive board was prominent as we helped to set up and work the event. Afterwards, we all took part in the candlelight vigil and Interfaith Prayer Ceremony as an Imam, a Priest, and a Rabbi spoke.
Over 3000 people attended, and we want to say thank you to all that attended.
Our President spoke on behalf of PSA at this event. For those of you that were unable to make it, her speech is here for you to read. Feel free to send comments to her at divachiq@aol.com
For those of you who were interested, I'm leaving my speech below. I had horrible writer's block for a week for this speech... and then, during the memorial services on TV at 9 am or so... a muse inspired me (finally)... and I was able to start and finish my speech.
Thanks... Peace.
Diva
Shalom.
Namaste.
With the Grace of God I greet you and may peace be upon all of you, with all faiths in mind.
Good evening. Tonight, we come together in memorial of what has come to be known as the most "devastating attack on American soil". 9.11 now means something to each and every American in this country, and also many, many more people around the world.
As an American of Muslim Pakistani descent, 9.11 had become a reality that was incredibly distressing to deal with. "Where were you on 9.11?" is going to be the patriotic question of this generation, as the inquiry of "Where were you when JFK was shot?" was the question of last. Just knowing that one of my closest friends had lost family in the tragedy struck me as if were my own. Those few days after 9.11, I couldn't help but cry at every single story, filled with an emotional mix of rage, sorrow, and hatred as to who could have possibly committed such an atrocity against human life, as to who could have orchestrated such a violent attack that affected millions around the world, let alone our nation. My mind raced every day over the thought that those that were responsible were Muslim, as I kept telling myself that no, a Muslim person would not do this. Taking innocent people's lives is NOT the way of Islam.
I soon found out that my worst fears were true when the authorities verified that it was indeed Muslim terrorists: Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda were told to be the masterminds behind this devastating attack on American soil. Killing innocent people is NOT allowed in Islam; this isn't what I had faith in. He had come and hurt my home, my nation, my people. The audacity he had... How dare he?!
This tragedy has affected each and every person in some way, shape, or form. 9.11 did not discriminate between race and gender, creed and sexual orientation. The attacks did not choose to harm only mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and relatives. They affected everyone.
Take this time to remember those victims and those heroes who were individuals--who laughed and cried as you do, who had family support them, and who had every right to practice what they believed in because of the freedoms that this nation has allowed us. The tremendous faith and generosity exhibited by our countrymen in response to this tragedy has been overwhelming, for united we stand, but divided we fall. For those of us that ARE Muslim, we believe in a beautiful fiath whose first words of greeting to another Muslim convey "May Peace Be Upon You". We also call America our home. For me, it is the only home that I have ever known.
And with that, I leave you with that same greeting of peace.
Assalamu Alaikum.
