OPINION:
Sept. 11, 2001, is a day etched in the memory of every American. For me, it was a day that profoundly changed my life on multiple levels. As a new believer in Christ, I experienced the events of that day through a unique lens, colored by my past experiences and my newfound faith.
I vividly remember that morning. My boss called all the employees to the meeting room and turned on the big TV. We stood there, frozen in shock and disbelief, as we watched the Twin Towers collapse. The room was filled with grief, sorrow, and sadness. For me, those feelings were amplified as my past traumas were triggered. Growing up in a war zone, I experienced the deep pain and hurt of hatred and violence. Watching the attacks unfold, I felt that pain and hurt once again, this time on a deeper level.
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A knot formed in my throat as I watched the horrific devastation caused by an ideology I once believed in. I had been brainwashed to think that it was god’s will for infidels — Christians and Jews — to be killed. The deep sorrow wrapped around me like a blanket, and I started sobbing. My boss, sensing the gravity of the situation, told us, “Everyone is free to go to your families, pick up your children, and find a safe place. Our nation is under attack.”
In the days that followed, we watched the crumbling lives from the collapsed buildings, the funerals, and the sacrificial efforts of firefighters, medical workers, and police officers. While many tried to make sense of it all, I knew what it was about. If Jesus Christ hadn’t intervened and supernaturally saved my life, I could have been one of those flying the planes. I understood the depth of the evil in my former religion more than most people in America could ever comprehend.
My Muslim parents called me the day after the tragedy, crying on the phone and saying, “I am sorry. I am sorry.” At first, I didn’t understand. My mother explained, “I am sorry for what we did to America.” She wasn’t talking about herself personally but was referring to the results of her faith. Years later, both of my parents accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, a testament to the life-transforming unconditional love of Christ.
Sept. 11, 2001, changed my life on a whole new level. It filled me with a passion to tell everyone, especially Muslims, about the love of Christ. The tears that roll down my cheeks today, even after so many years, remind me of the deep impact of that day. We said we would never forget, but we forgot. We said, “United we stand,” but we are more divided than ever.
Today, I want to invite true Americans to unite again. True Americans love and appreciate this amazing nation, and recognize the freedom and opportunities it provides. They understand the value of the liberties we freely enjoy and are deeply grateful for the sacrifices made to secure them. Let us not take this amazing nation for granted. America has been a symbol of refuge, strength, and freedom for those suffering under oppression and poverty around the world. This country provided freedom for me, and I am eternally grateful.
Let us remember the sacrifices made, the lives lost, and the strength we showed in the face of adversity. We have faced immense challenges, but each time, we rise stronger and more united. Let us come together in love, compassion, and understanding.
The American spirit is one of resilience and unity, forged in the fires of struggle and triumph. Let us be the light that dispels darkness, the hope that conquers despair, and the love that overcomes hatred. Let us never forget the transforming power of Christ’s love. His love calls us to be peacemakers, to extend grace, and to stand together as one nation under God. In unity, we find strength. In compassion, we find healing. And in love, we find the true essence of what it means to be American.
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Işık Abla Ministries (IAM) is a global beacon of hope and empowerment led by visionary founder, President, and CEO Işık Abla. As a Muslim believer, she is uniquely positioned, knowing the culture, language, and social norms, to authentically and relationally share the good news of Jesus Christ with Muslims. Today, Işık’s programs are broadcast in multiple languages in over 200 countries on six continents and are available to more than 700 million people.
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