I wanted to do something meaningful to mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11. It's a sad and sobering anniversary every year. I find it hard to believe that 10 years have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
This year I'm running in a half marathon - the Chicago Half Marathon - on Team Red White and Blue to raise money and awareness for wounded veterans' re-integration. Team RWB is a 501(c)(3) charity that focuses on connecting wounded veterans with civilians to help build bridges between the two communities in order to help wounded veterans reintegrate into civilian life.
I'm running it with a group of friends and co-workers and other Team RWB supporters. Among this group are two others who happen to be American Muslims too. We are not necessarily wearing our faith on our sleeves. It just happens to be that a few of us are Americans and Muslims both.
If this does not seem noteworthy to you - that Muslims would be honoring this somber anniversary by doing something for American veterans - than I thank you. I wish more people saw it this way.
There are a lot of folks out there, however, who seem to think the worst of Muslims, even their fellow Americans who happen to be Muslims. There are a lot of folks out there who are not bigots but who harbor very negative views about Muslims because they've only seen the worst representatives of the faith. I hope our efforts and other similar efforts around the country get noticed and serve as alternatives for those who wonder what Muslims really think and feel about 9/11.
Over the years I've spoken at commemorative services and attended interfaith prayers. I'm doing some of those activities this year too. Running in the half marathon is meant to be an additional and more challenging endeavor to mark the seriousness of this solemn occasion.
Please visit my fundraising page at firstgiving.com and the Team Red White and Blue website for more information!
Thanks!
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