In the know: Anniversary of 9/11 is an opportunity for Americans to move beyond mourning and anger, count their blessings instead
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By Andrew Zaki
Sept. 12, 2011 12:24 a.m.
Sept. 11 has always been a day of celebration for me.
It has always been a day of rejoicing ““ never mourning ““ and will remain that way. Now before you jump out of your seat and label me unpatriotic, let me explain.
As a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, I celebrate the New Year on Sept. 11. The Coptic calendar begins in the year 284 A.D. with the beginning of Emperor Diocletian’s reign (look him up ““ bad guy who killed a lot of Christians). It seems counterintuitive, but the church does not mourn over those who were martyred. We do not burn with hate as we remember what was done to our brothers and sisters. Rather, we marvel at the great courage those Christians had in the face of such evil.
In the same vein, it is time for America to do the same. Let us move past the hatred of the Muslims; let us move past rhetoric that justifies violence; let us move past mourning and toward rejoicing.
Rejoice, remembering the bravery and heroism displayed by citizens on that day. Rejoice, for the liberties and freedoms that are preserved. Rejoice, for those who died did not die in vain.
Rejoice, because we were not overcome but overcame.
Email Zaki at [email protected]. Send general comments to [email protected].
