9/11 and What it Means to Me

This time last year.. I was in a different place- mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. As with every year, I attempted to convey my feelings about the events that took place eleven years ago.

This year, I handled it differently.

I walked the 5 or 6 blocks downtown to a ceremony taking place with our community leaders. But before I share those pictures with you, I wanted to share the post I wrote last year. If I have any edits, it will be noted in blue:

I thought I would start the post off as if I was writing an essay at school. The title seems so fitting.

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For those living under a rock, or in other parts of the world where people have moved on - it's the 10th anniversary of the tragedy that took place in NY, DC, & Pennsylvania. Hundreds of lives were lost. It was absolutely horrific.

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It also marks the day that launched the United States of America into war with both Iraq and Afghanistan. Hundreds (if not thousands) of lives have been lost. American and otherwise.

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It also marks the day that the last name Abdou was frowned upon. Or the language of Arabic was looked at suspiciously. Or that all people of Islam were considered extremists. Or that all people from the middle east are terrorists.

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I by NO MEANS see this day as a day I like to remember. I hate it more than you can imagine.

My heart breaks for the people who got on those 4 planes and ended up losing their lives. I cannot imagine the fear they must have felt, or the pain their families had to endure.

I am saddened by the brave men and women who risked everything to try to save innocent people from a burning, yet crumbling building.

I feel absolute horror for the people in the towers that fell dozens of floors from their rooms engulfed in flames.


I am so sad and and angry that a group of misinformed men could plan such a terrible plot and bring such devastation to a nation.

I mourned for my country back then as I do now - but I am trying really hard not to dwell.

I hate the fact that soldiers were sent to Iraq for the wrong reasons. Maybe the right reasons, I don't know. We are not privy to this information. But sooo many lives were lost. Not only "our boys and girls in uniform" - but innocent Iraqis. People who were just minding their own business.

Yes, I am glad Saddam is gone. But I don't glorify it.


I feel really sad for the innocent people in Afghanistan. One of the poorest countries on Earth - that is now a never-ending battle ground. Yes, I am glad we found Bin Laden in Pakistan. But I don't glorify the way he exited this world. There are just more of his disciples ready to line up and take his place.

The wars, the fighting, all of that - it's just adding fuel to the fire. Fighting fire with fire is not going to solve anything. Just creates more hate on "their side" and more "fear and ignorance" on our side.

I sometimes wonder if when I send my resume out, they see the Arabic last name and pass over me. *I was unemployed at the time and having a hard time trying to find a job.

I still remember my "friends" asking me if I thought the egyptian was only using me to get to this country, because of some terrorist plot. After that man passed 9 security clearances in Washington, they still raised on eyebrow...

Or when he went to NYC, the ignorant questions I got from "well meaning" people about who he was staying with, and why did he want to go there so bad....

Or how when I mention my husband's a Muslim, I pause a second, and every single person says, "Well that's got to be interesting. How does that work?" As if he is not human....

Or how days like today will bring out the ignorant comments and FB statuses and Tweets about a group of people that are lumped together.

We all respond differently to tragedy. Some people get mad and wave their flags. Some people curl up and hide from the pain. I wish we could just learn something from all of this.

When people look back at history and try to answer WHY - I wonder if the historians will pin point the reasons. Was it our greed? Was it our hot-headed cockiness? Was it just a few misinformed delinquents from the Middle East biting off more than they realized? What did we do to make a group of people hate us? What can we do to change? What can they do to change?

Yes, we are a great country. But we are also greatly flawed.

Today, I will remember EVERYTHING. Not just the sad parts. The parts many people refuse to acknowledge. It's a dark day for sure, one I will never forget.

*****

Now for today's photos:

Nicole's Passion - Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

"What is tolerance? It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly - that is the first law of nature." ~Voltaire

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to write a blog post about Muslims. A really nice person from Myfellowamerican.us reached out to me, directed me to a PSA they had produced, and asked me to share my thoughts.

I waited... mostly because I was tired. I have been battling misconceptions about Muslims for so long. I felt like my voice was not strong enough. Plus, who am I to share my thoughts about Islam and those who worship accordingly? Aren't I the same woman who has told her husband multiple times why I would not convert? Isn't this the same blog that deals with the cultural nuances on a daily basis?
You see - I am married to a Muslim. He is from Egypt. He just moved to the states 2 years ago. The multi-cultural home is still in flux.

Luckily, he has been in my life for almost 5 years. I have a learned a lot in 5 years time. I have also had the privilege (prior to meeting the egyptian) to have lived with a young woman from Northern Iraq, who was also a Muslim, for over a year.

My beautiful Mother-in-law and my dear Egyptian.

My mother-in-law is a Muslim. My father-in-law is a Muslim. My brothers-in-law as well as sisters-in-law are all Muslim. Many, many of my friends are Muslim.

I am Christian. Roman Catholic. I live in the southeastern United States.
I am very opinionated and I tend to tell it like I see it. Here's the thing - I won't deny, some stereotypes are real.

Muslim men do expect to be the head of their homes. As do men who are Southern Baptist. 

Muslim women do dress modestly (as do some Pentecostal women,) some choose to cover their faces and hands. 

They do not believe Jesus is the Son of God, but they do believe he was born of a virgin and is a Messenger of God. They also believe he will be the one to return on judgment day (as do Christians.)

Muslim men expect their wives to submit to them. And typically, the women do. (The same thing that is written in every religion.)

Islam translates to  "Submission to God." God comes first in most Muslim's lives, and family follows second. (As do most other religious groups.)

Allah, Yahweh and God ARE THE SAME. One God - Three Faiths, each recognize Moses, & Jesus. However, Muslims believe that the Qu'ran is the third and final testament from God.

These are just a few basic facts.
If you have been following my blog - you know that some of these topics are issues my husband and I deal with. We are learning the cultural ins and outs and we are bridging the gaps... slowly... but surely.

I need you to watch this PSA, the organization asked me to take a look at. Trust me, it will be worth your time.



Here's the thing, after what recently happened in Norway - I started reading a ton of nonsense on FB. Quotes from friends and friends of friends. Bashing Muslims, making derogatory statements about an entire group of people.

The thing is - it's not right. No matter how you slice it, no matter what archaic ideas you hold, these people are not all terrorists. Sure, you may not agree with their faith, sure you may not agree with their lifestyle or dress code... at the end of the day - the venom coming out of people's mouths frighten me more than anything a Muslim could ever say or do to me. 

There are extremist in every religion, political affiliation, etc. Remember the Tea Party members wishing Obama dead? That's a little scary. I've been cornered by Fundamentalist - informing me that I will not go to heaven because I am a Catholic. There is hate in every group. I've even heard other Catholics bash Protestants. African Americans who look down on Hispanics. Welfare recipients looking down on illegal aliens. Hate is hate is hate.

People are people. Take a moment and try to get to know someone who is different than you. Don't judge an entire group based on a few loose cannons. For centuries, people have fought and killed based on religion. This is NOT something new.

Take a look at your own lives. How are you living? How would someone from the Middle East view your life, based on what they believe? Try to put yourself in someone else's place. Then educate yourself. Then speak with love. Pray and learn to forgive, and educate others.

It hurts to see people  I know, people I care about.. sneak a few comments and statements in a public forum. What's even worse, knowing they say even more behind closed doors.

I only wish I did not hold one prejudice. That is the prejudice against other people who hold prejudice.

"Our thoughts are unseen hands shaping the people we meet. Whatever we truly think them to be, that's what they'll become for us." ~Richard Cowper