Religions Find Common Ground in Stamford for 9/11

STAMFORD, Conn. — The Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut is working to get people to be more accepting of others 10 years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It did so by commemorating the anniversary with a concert and gathering.

“We want to get people working together,” the Rev. Kate Heichler, president of the Interfaith Council, said before Sunday’s event. Heichler spoke about how Muslims were stereotyped as terrorists after the attacks and how she believes those feelings have subsided as more people have learned about and understand the religion. She believes that by trying to understand others who are different, the country can prosper a decade after the attacks.

“Our diversity is our strength,” Heichler said. She wants people to extend their feelings of openness beyond just race and religion to other lifestyle choices as well, using the example of a person who dresses Goth.

At the event, Imam Kareem Adeeb explained how the terrorists' actions were not based on their faith. “No religion, no creed allows something like what happened on 9/11,” said Adeeb, who has spoken all over the state about the Islam religion since 2001.

People should be happy that they live in America, where citizens are always working to improve their lives and have the opportunity to do so, he said. Other countries focus on the past, he said, and don’t allow improvements to occur. “America looks toward the future,” Adeeb said.

Sunday night’s event at Temple Beth El, called A Community Gathering for Healing and Hope, consisted of several prayers led by leaders of different faiths and many musical numbers performed by vocalists from churches and synagogues.

How do you think the country has moved forward since Sept. 11? Share your thoughts below or send them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo, tbuzzeo@TheDailyStamford.com. 

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