Religious Leaders React to 9-11

Christians Helping Heal Wounds of September 11th

Religious Leaders React to 9-11
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September 11 has remained to be a historic day in the lives of many Americans.

Sixteen years after the bombing of the World Trade Centre, the effects of this day are hardly forgotten. If anything, they have become more relevant.
Christians Helping Heal Wounds of September 11th[/tweetthis]

The American people did not remain unchanged after the terror attacks. Most Americans have become more socially aware of their surroundings and the people in them. This has developed into racial profiling and religious discrimination. People of color and Muslims have often been associated with terrorism and have faced threats on their lives and the lives of their families.

This discrimination, however, has been countered by Christians who do not believe in condemning the whole Muslim community but rather the small group responsible for these acts of terror. They have also gone ahead to protect their Muslim brothers from harm, learn more about the Islamic Religion objectively and preach forgiveness for those who have committed acts of terror. This is in keeping with Matthew 5 where the Bible commands them to love their enemies and pray for them despite the persecution.

Owing to the social discord amongst most of the American people, the ‘In God We Trust’ movement collected 200,000 signatures on a petition urging the president to declare September 11th a day of prayer, fasting, and repentance. This organization of broadcasting networks, intellectuals, and religious leaders got the president to respond to their plea. President Trump declared three days of Prayer and Remembrance with September 11th as Patriot Day. The president asked Americans to observe these days with contemplation, memorials, and candlelit vigils but did not make any reference to fasting and repentance.

With this move by the President and the petition by the ‘In God We Trust’ Movement, there is hope that America shall return the cohesive nation it once was.

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