UA Muslim Students, Chancellor, Commemorate 9/11 Anniversary
By: Liz Hogan
Updated: September 11, 2012
Tuesday, University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart and members of the Al-Islam Students Association gathered to observe the anniversary of September 11, 2001.
"The images and stories of that fateful Tuesday will never fade from the memories of those who witnessed them," Gearhart said.
The Al-Islam Students Association formed after 9/11, to inform the community about the true teachings of Islam. The students want to clear up any misconceptions out there about their religion.
"We want to let people know that Muslims are actually good people, we're active members of the community and we support life," said Sofia Naseem, president of the Al-Islam Students Association.
Its an effort Chancellor Gearhart fully supports.
"I think what we're doing here with the Muslim religion is to say, this isn't about Muslims, this isn't about any world religion, this is about terrorism and we cannot connect the two in any way," he said.
"Killing one person is similar to killing all of humanity, so we are either brothers in religion or brothers in humanity," student Zeina Aldolimi.
The group is also holding a three day blood drive at the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union, and students can't wait to donate.
"I think it's an important message to send and also a message that says we want to help save lives, we want to do something that is active, to help people in this country," Gearhart said.
Muslim or Christian, everyone remembers and continues to be impacted by the horrific events on this day more than a decade ago.
"For the firefighters, for the nurses, everyone who was a part of it we need to honor them," Naseem said.
"The only rightful action to unthinkable horror is to face it, refuse its call to hatred," said Gearhart.
"The images and stories of that fateful Tuesday will never fade from the memories of those who witnessed them," Gearhart said.
The Al-Islam Students Association formed after 9/11, to inform the community about the true teachings of Islam. The students want to clear up any misconceptions out there about their religion.
"We want to let people know that Muslims are actually good people, we're active members of the community and we support life," said Sofia Naseem, president of the Al-Islam Students Association.
Its an effort Chancellor Gearhart fully supports.
"I think what we're doing here with the Muslim religion is to say, this isn't about Muslims, this isn't about any world religion, this is about terrorism and we cannot connect the two in any way," he said.
"Killing one person is similar to killing all of humanity, so we are either brothers in religion or brothers in humanity," student Zeina Aldolimi.
The group is also holding a three day blood drive at the Multicultural Center in the Arkansas Union, and students can't wait to donate.
"I think it's an important message to send and also a message that says we want to help save lives, we want to do something that is active, to help people in this country," Gearhart said.
Muslim or Christian, everyone remembers and continues to be impacted by the horrific events on this day more than a decade ago.
"For the firefighters, for the nurses, everyone who was a part of it we need to honor them," Naseem said.
"The only rightful action to unthinkable horror is to face it, refuse its call to hatred," said Gearhart.
