Ordinary People, Extraordinary
Heroes
By Adeel Iqbal
The parents of a victim of
the Sept. 11 attacks. A man who joined hands with the grandfather
of the teen who killed his son. A lawyer who fights against
the infringement of civil liberties every day. A woman who
is leading the charge to create national departments of
peace around the world and a Muslim organization that has
made its mission to form global partnerships to create culture
of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony in our
world.
This year’s American Muslim Voice convention –
on the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11 – brings together
an amazing group of peacemakers: those who have experienced
grief first-hand and channeled that grief into action. The
theme, “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Heroes,”
is only fitting. Such heroes include John and Bev Titus,
the parents of 28-year-old flight attendant Alicia Titus
who died on United Airlines Flight 175 five years ago on
Sept 11th.
They have set aside their grief with the aim of promoting
peace among the families of victims around the world. Azim
Khamisa, whose son, Tariq Khamisa was shot and killed while
delivering pizzas almost a decade ago has done exactly the
same. Khamisa has joined hands with the grandfather and
family of his son’s killer to promote a culture of
peace and understanding specifically among America’s
youth. “To honor my son I thought I had to do something
more positive,” Khamisa says. “Instead of grieving,
I was advised that I should give.”
The AMV convention, on Aug. 20th 2006 at Newark’s
Chandni Restaurant, honors these heroes and highlights the
peace-building and community development work that has taken
place since Sept. 11, 2001.
Established in 2003, AMV fosters a culture of nonviolence
and has been paramount in the development of genuine and
effective community partnerships, both on the national and
local level. The organization fights against the abuse of
civil liberties and educates fellow Americans about misconception
of Islam and Muslims first-hand. "In order to create
a culture of peace, acceptance, mutual respect and harmony
in our world we must join hands with all peace loving human
being and continue to educate all others for our kids sake,"
says Khalid Saeed, national president of AMV.
AMV-Foundation President, Samina Faheem Sundas echoes the
same remarks. "We all share this beautiful planet and
belong to one race - the human race," she says. “We
should get to know each other, learn to accept and respect
one another and should celebrate our diversity." AMV
has made this its mission. "By approaching our fellow
Americans with open minds, honesty, love, and compassion,
we have broken countless barriers," Sundas adds. "Yet
many barriers still remain in place and much remains to
be done.”
Convention speaker Shirin Sinnar who fights cases of deportation
and infringement on civil liberties will explain what remains
undone. Sinnar has seen high school children interrogated
by federal officials inside their classes. She has seen
families torn apart through immigration enforcement. Changing
these situations is her drive. “My goal is to ensure
that the rights that we value as Americans are actually
lived and practiced,” she says.
The same is true for Grace Shimizu, the daughter of a Japanese
World War II internee. Change can only be brought about
through action, she says. And change can only occur if we
reexamine our mistakes of the past. She will share these
mistakes and provide a perspective on how to correct them.
Dot Maver, the executive director of the national Peace
Alliance, who is advocating for the development of a federal
department of peace not only in the US but in every nation
of the world, says the time for action is now. “It
does not matter what our race color or creed, it is a time
to connect with one another, not to convince one another.
Maver will demonstrate how each person can get involved
in peace-building. All of the speakers preach and embody
acts of peace.
Each shows that sitting on the sidelines accomplishes nothing.
Each is an inspiration to follow. John Titus best embodies
the spirit of these individuals and that of AMV with the
following statement: “If I can make a difference in
some small way, that gives me hope.”
Join us on Aug. 20th 2006 to commemorate the 5th anniversary
of Sept 11. It is our duty to honor the families of the
victims and those who have made it their cause to transform
the world into one of peace.
For objectives of the convention, program, profiles of the
speakers, how to support AMV and other details of the event
please visit our website @ www.amuslimvoice.org You could
also call Mr. Khalid Saeed 530-383-0959 or Samina Faheem
Sundas at 650-387-1994.
(Adeel Iqbal is a junior at UC Berkeley, Board member of
the American Muslim Voice and former editor in chief of
the Cal Daily)
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