Some Thoughts and
Reflections on Sep 11th
Now
it as almost one month, the terrorist attack has happened and I think it may be
good to share some of my thoughts and reflections with you.
This
is the worst of any deliberate attack
which occurred in our life time.
Thousands of innocent people were crushed or burned to death for none of
their mistake. Thousands of families
were left with a painful baggage. The
worst contradiction is that this was done in the name of religion and God. The other day Osama Bin Laden said, “I do
not fear death. I have no fear in being a martyr for God”. All religion in the
world advocates love, peace and joy for
all people in the world. All religions
say not to inflict pain on others. But
the worst thing in the history of the world is that people fight and kill each other and inflict pain on others in
the name of religion.
The
underlying factor in almost all struggles is the economic factor. Poverty and exploitation of millions of
people around the world is the chief threat to global peace.
The
callousness, brutality involved in the Sep 11th attack reminds us
that only devil can do such a thing.
Freedom, liberty and respect are the hallmarks of the American
society. The terrorists has misused and
abused it. I would say this attack is
not only on a particular country, it is on humanity. People from over 60 nations have been killed in the attack, it is
also an attack on the human achievement.
Now
it is the time for this country to act. This nation has military strength to
devastate any terrorist organization or state that was involved. For 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center
the Egyptian cleric Omar Abdel-Rehman was punished for life in prison only
after a scrupulously fair trial. In many other countries such a terrible attack
on the citizens of the country by some who belongs to another country or a
different religion, possibly invites a terrible attack back from the mob. This
country is civilized and consider
justice and freedom above vengeance and military might. Being jealous of the
prosperity of this country, the
terrorists destroyed the symbols of American military and financial might. As president bush remarked in his speech “these acts shatter
steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve”. I do hope that this
country would do something to protect itself including strengthening its
intelligence and security.
It
may be unfair to stereotype terrorism
with a religion or an ethnic group. Being lived seven years in Muslim
countries, (Qatar & UAE) I would say majority Moslems are very pious,
spending time in prayer and doing good for others.
Some
people are busy in creating hoax pictures of the attack, or trying to do more
business by exploiting the feelings of the people. We read that some people who escaped the attack by missing a train,
or being late at work, remarked “thank God, God saved me”. If it is so why God didn’t save others? God
does not have any partiality. God gives the Spring and sunshine to both good and wicked. God doesn’t
want anybody to suffer. Some of you may remember a lady on the TV screen who
escaped from the World Trade Center, unharmed in body but with a terrible guilt
feeling that she escaped. I think this is more Christian, than saying, “thank
God, God saved me when thousands are killed”.
Sep
11th has made a great change in the philosophy of life for many
Americans. The attitude towards life has changed. Robert Wenzel, a young Wall
Street bond trader lost four friends and with them he also lost is belief that
he could be happy in a job with little meaning to his life. He has applied to
join Peace Corps, to do voluntary work. He sounded a new attitude to life. “My
priorities changed. After my College, I kind of went for the money first. In light of everything that happened, it
just didn’t seem so important”.
The
world has become a global village. The
poverty, strife and problems in a far
away country has direct effect on us.
People are becoming more aware that there is no guarantee for tomorrow,
and they want to infuse their life with more substance and meaning. Wenzel has
only known peace, prosperity and
enjoyment., now he grapples with deeper questions, “why I am here? What is the
meaning and purpose of my life? For many years Wenzel had a slight idea to join
Peace Corps. Now he says, “there is no use in putting something off and
regretting you didn’t do it when you had a chance. I never thought like that before.” Many people find more time to spend with their family and
friends and many are re-evaluating their career-focus, preferring a career
which is more meaningful to their life, soul and the world. They ask, “What am
I doing? What am I contributing to the world?” Many decide to make some change
even if it is a small change. (After
all, a little change makes a big difference!).
At a recruitment fair in Hoffman Estates in the last week of September,
about 60 people applied to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan
Chicago, whereas two months ago at a similar function only four people
applied. Now a days in religious orders, it is hard to find a young sister.
I do
hope that this would be a time for all of us to examine and re-evaluate
ourselves and commit our lives for the kingdom of God - for a better
world, to live in…. a world with lesser
poverty, illiteracy, arrogance. A world with
greater understanding, respect, love and joy. After all it is the attitude, than the situations that makes a
person happy.
God
bless America
Peace
Anish John
Chicago
Oct 9, 2001
to return!