Originally published on HuffingtonPost Religion October 14, 2011
By Dr. Sarah Sayeed
With the passing of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, another 10th year commemoration is upon us: the war in Afghanistan. It is a somber reminder that the United States has been caught in a cycle of retribution that is likely to extend long into the coming decade. At the local level in New York City, this cycle of blame and vengeance has emerged in the form of controversies over the building of new mosques, the vilification of Muslims and law enforcement’s ongoing surveillance of Muslim communities. As an American, and as a Muslim, I have found my antidote in strategies and programs that present an alternative to this vilification, a third way toward peace-building and reconciliation.
Prepare New York, launched by several interfaith organizations in New York City is one such initiative, working to strengthen the fabric of New York City and foster respect for religious pluralism. To help break away from the cycle of violence and blame that prevailed last summer around the “Ground Zero Mosque,” Prepare NY brings together communities for conversations about the trauma of 9/11, resilience and religious pluralism to create an alternative narrative that builds cohesion and trust rather than exacerbates divides. Through this program, I’ve learned the stories of many inspiring individuals who have been working steadily to build understanding and foster healing, who have persisted in their heroic work outside the media limelight.
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