AMV Holds Multifaith Peace Picnic & Prayer Service on 9/11 Anniversary
By Abdus Sattar Ghazali
Palo Alto: American Muslim Voice (AMV) held a Multifaith Peace Picnic & Prayer Service on September 11 on the 20 th anniversary of 9/11. The event, held at the Palo Alto City Hall, was sponsored by American Muslim Voice, Senator Dave Cortese of CA State Senate, and Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice. It was co-sponsored by more than 30 civil advocacy and faith groups.
The event was held to spotlight the AMV theme: Replacing the culture of despair, division and violence with a culture of hope, inclusion and peace. Omar Naeem Raza was emcee of the program which included scintillating speeches and moving songs. The proceedings began witha recitation from the holy Qur’an by Hafiz Hassaan Haq.
Addressing the audience next, Palo Alto CA Vice Mayor Pat Brut referred to the general response to the 9/11 tragic terrorist attacks and said: “We have a choice. We can scum to the temptation and respond in time and reciprocal of intolerance or choose what we are doing today: holding together to build peace and honor our diversity and embracing all who hold in common. That is what we do when we bread together like tonight.”
Cantor Jaime Shpallfrom the Congregation Beth Am, Los Altos Hills offered the Jewish prayer. Rev Dr Debra Murray from the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto offered the Christian prayer. Maryam Mostaghimi,Member of the Baháí Community of Palo Alto, offered the Bahai prayer.
Farha Andrabi, President of MVPA Musalla (Mosque), spoke about the impact of 9/11 on people at large and Muslims in particular.
Samina Sundas, founder of American Muslim Voice Foundation, suggested to observe a moment of silence to honor victims of the 9/11 tragedy. In her remarks Sundas reiterated her message of unity among all groups and to transform this tragic day into one of peace and community building. Let us sow the seeds of new friendships by getting to know each other a little bit better, she exhorted the audience.
Next, Machelle Ahmed in her melodious voice presented “Imagine” written by John Lennon.
E’Jaaz Ali, former FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force US Army Signals Intelligence Veteran, shared his thoughts on the 9/11 tragic event. He lamented that thousands of precious lives were lost on 9/11 and also during the last 20 years of war.
Punhal Chaudry, a ten-year-old from Bullis Charter School, presented a brief speech about unity. She stressed that there could be no peace without unity. Noor Navaidspoke about an unlikely friendship between a 9/11 family member and a detainee at Guantánamo.
Kansen Chu, former Assembly Member from the 25 thDistrict, in his brief speech stressed that hate can be countered through unity. Chu represents Asian Americans. He said 9/11 was an attack on all of us. In the aftermath of 9/11, Muslims were the target of hate crimes just as Chinese Americans presently are. Chu said we have to be united to fight hate crimes.
Zanaib Ali spoke about honoring the Peace Makers.
Mary Klein from Palo Alto Friends Meeting, in her speech, said that 9/11 gave a pretext to wage wars throughout the globe without authorization by the Congress. “For 20 years the state of endless wars has pushed the mindset of militarism here into the cities and towns in our homeland.”
Naiel Chaudry, a 12-year-old from Bullis Charter School, sang “You will be found” from the Broadway Musical.
Beth Am’s Children Choir rendered "One Day.” Karen Bergen and llona Pollakfrom the Congregation Etz Chayim also presented a song. Elaine Moise from Congregation Keddem sang the Jewish prayer "Avinu Malkeinu."
A group from the Sri Sathya Sai International Organization (SSSIO) presented a spiritual song: “ Love, Peace, Righteousness and Truth.”
Eric Sabelmanfrom Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice delivered the closing remarks. The event ended with a candlelight vigil.
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