By Danielle Ameden/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Nov 04, 2012 @ 12:26 AM
WAYLAND — Families of 9/11 victims came together at the Islamic Center of Boston Saturday night to celebrate the united fight for social justice.
The center honored members of the September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows whose grief spawned a desire to promote tolerance and speak out against hatred.
“I got involved with this not so much for therapy but because I believe that 9/11 shouldn’t be an excuse to create more wars and to create even more hatred and violence,” Robyn Bernstein of Bolton said before speaking at a nighttime benefit dinner.
Bernstein, whose mother died in the 9/11 attacks, serves on the national organization’s Steering Committee and is a member of the Islamic Center’s interfaith book club.
“We’ve got to do something to start healing the world instead of making it worse,” she said. “I don’t want my daughter to have to deal with this when she grows up.”
Proceeds the center raised during the $25-per-plate dinner will benefit the Peaceful Tomorrows organization and the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ anti-Islamophobia campaign.
“What happens is people have fear and ignorance,” said attendee Ken Williams, a Peaceful Tomorrows member from the Bronx. “That’s what causes the trouble.”
Williams’ younger brother, who was a firefighter, died on 9/11. He said he got involved in the peace campaign because you “can’t stay home and loaf and be angry.”
The Islamic Center recognizes how compassion and moderate voices from different faiths can bridge the cultural divide, said Shaheen Akhtar, the center’s interfaith liaison.
“We want the moderate voices to be heard,” she said.
Peaceful Tomorrows project director Terry Greene, who lives in Cambridge, lost her brother on Flight 93 and draws inspiration from the compassion he had for others.
Greene said the organization was really saddened by the “dramatic rise” in hate crimes after 9/11, targeting not only Muslims but people who may look like they are Muslim.
“I think it’s important that we stand united with one another, not against one another,” she said, “and showcase that to the world.”
Danielle Ameden can be reached at 508-626-4416 or dameden@wickedlocal.com.
The article can be accessed at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1272750803/Islamic-center-honors-peace-work
