By Abdus Sattar Ghazali

The American Muslim Voice commemorated the third anniversary of September 11 by holding candlelight vigils in Palo Alto, CA, Woodland, CA and Long Island, NY.

In Palo Alto, the candle light vigil at the Civic Center was attended by Vice Mayor of Palo Alto, Mr. Jim Burch and Ms. Yoriko Kishimoto, Palo Alto Council member, and many others.

Two groups who participated in the candle light vigils

Mr. Jim Burch praised AMV’s initiative of honoring the families of the victims of 9/11 by holding the event. He also appreciated AMV’s efforts for engaging and bringing people together. Ms. Yoriko Kishimoto thanked AMV’s Executive Director, Ms. Samina Faheem Sundas, for inviting her to participate in the event. “I am glad to stand with her in her effort to unite people.” Alluding to the shrinking civil liberties of Muslims and Arabs, she said that Japanese Americans have undergone the same experience during the Second World War.

Ms. Samina Faheem Sundas told the audience, “I don’t wish to meet them during forums, teach-ins and memorials. “ She said the AMV’s goal is to build genuine friendship with all fellow Americans. “We want to take interfaith to the next level of true relationship.” Samina went on to say that the AMV is a civil rights organization building alliances and real partnership with like-minded groups to protect and preserve civil liberties and constitutional rights for all. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between all communities.”

There was an open mike and many speakers said that they agreed with the goal of uniting people of all faiths. Many sang peace songs.

Popular singer Mica Lee Williams gave a live performance at the vigil. Before the performance, Mica emphasized that music is her way of speaking goodwill, peace and joy. She said that she was looking for something where she could belong. “I am glad to be part of this.” Mica went on to say that “it brings strength to my heart to see people gather for humanity”.

The Palo Alto vigil was co-sponsored by ACLU(American Civil lLberty Union), CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), JACL (Japanese American Citizens League - San Jose), MCA (Muslim Community Association), NOC (Nihonmachi Outreach Committee), SBIA (South Bay Islamic Association), Peace & Action Committee of Palo Alto Friends Service, ( Quakers) Civil Liberties Committee of the SF Gray Panthers, and Peninsula Peace and Justice Center.

On the evening of September 11, 2004 a candlelight vigil was held in Woodland, California. The vigil program stared right after the evening prayer at the Woodland Mosque. Men, women, and children of all ages participated in the program. Imam of the mosque Qari Tasawwar Iqbal started the program with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an. Mr. Khalid Saeed, Director of AMV Northern California, briefly talked about AMV’s plan for holding these vigils throughout the nation AMV chapters exist. He talked about the victims in general and then he shared a list of names of Muslim victims who were killed at the WTC. Mr. Khalid Saeed thanked every one of the attendees for participating in the vigil and the prayer service.

After his comments the participants gathered to light the candles. Many other participants made brief comments about the evening and condemned the killing of innocent people whatever their race or religion. Haji Zulfiqar who has recently come from Pakistan said that we should condemn any one who kills an innocent person. He said those who were killed at the WTC were innocent people.

Mr. Riaz Ahmad, the Mosque President, also shared the thought. He was the organizer of the event. He had also provided the refreshments for the events. Another official of the Mosque Association Muhammad Tariq also worked hard for the success of the program and shared his thoughts about the importance of having this remembrance program. Qari Bashir, an elderly scholar of the community, also showed his appreciation of the program.

Imam Qari Tasawwar Iqbal led the prayer for the September 11 victims and their families.

The Woodland program was organized by the AMV with the help of Mr. Riaz Ahmad, President Muslim Mosque Woodland; Mr. Muhammad Usman Sadiq; Principal, Muslim Mosque School; Mr. Frahan Anwar, President, AMV Woodland Chapter; and Mr. Umar Saeed, President, Pakistan American Forum.

Earlier, all these organizations had issued a joint statement saying:”We dedicate this day to the innocent victims of 9/11and their families and pray for healing, harmony and peace in our world. Let us work together to make this world a better place for our next generation.”

A similar vigil was held in Long Island by the AMV New York Chapter in memory of the innocent victims of 9/11 and to honor the families of the victims who choose not to use their tragedy to spread hate, anger, confusion and chaos in our country.