On 9/11 this year, we renew our commitment to peace efforts

September 2, 2021

On this twentieth anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001, we at ING send prayers and wishes for peace to the families of all the victims of that horrific event, and we join all Muslim Americans in condemning violence in the name of Islam or any other religion, worldview, or ideology. We also recognize that the circle of those harmed by these attacks extends well beyond those killed or injured in the attacks themselves. We remember the first responders who were killed or injured in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, as well as those who still suffer from PTSD. And we call to mind also all the victims of the surge in racist hate crimes and discrimination generally that Islamophobia, together with other forms of racist bigotry, helped foster. Our thoughts go out to those victimized for being or appearing to be Muslim in the wake of 9/11, and all Muslim Americans, Sikhs, South Asians, Arabs and others who have suffered discrimination, bullying, and harassment over the past 20 years as a result of the Islamophobia that the 9/11 attacks helped generate. Finally, we remember all Americans whose sense of security was shattered by 9/11 attacks.

While we grieve for the victims of 9/11, we recall, and pledge to build upon, everything positive that has come out of the efforts towards healing over the last twenty years. Since that terrible day we have seen:

• An increase in interfaith engagement and activity, to the point, for instance, that 70 to 80% of American mosques now engage in interfaith encounters and learning.
• More efforts by people of diverse backgrounds to get to know one another and enhance their religious and cultural literacy and understanding.
• Work towards building bridges and developing friendships across differences.

All these efforts are central to ING’s mission. And on this anniversary, we pledge to build on what has already been accomplished and to redouble our commitment to the work of peace building.

We invite you to join in this work by requesting presentations and panels on one or more of our topics:

• Muslims, their Faith and Perspectives: Educational presentations on various topics related to Muslims and Islam, delivered by diverse Muslim speakers. Request presentations here. Teen Muslim speakers are also available.
• Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus and their Religions and Perspectives: Educational presentations on various topics related to five major world religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism), delivered by panels of speakers who practice them. Request panels here. 
• Countering Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Black Racism, and Other Forms of Bigotry: Educational presentations that address countering bullying, bigotry and racism by bringing together a panel of speakers who represent targeted communities (Muslim, Jewish, African, Indigenous, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian American communities). Request panels here. 
• Diversity Training for Professional Groups: Diversity training that can be included in your long-term DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) programs in your organization. Our trainings are specifically tailored for the following groups: Educators in K-12, educators in colleges and universities, corporate staff, law enforcement personnel, healthcare providers, dentists, government employees, court administrators, and non-profit organizations. Requests trainings here.

If you are an educator, we invite you to also consider downloading one or more of our online curricula free of charge. These curricula offer the scripts and slides for each presentation about Muslims and our interreligious and interethnic/intercultural panels, plus content and discussion questions, suggested classroom activities, links to relevant videos, and resource lists.

Even as we recall 9/11 with sadness and grief, we are encouraged by all the efforts that have been and continue to be made to promote the mutual understanding and respect that alone can guarantee peace. We welcome you to join us in this work.