As every day passes, memories of events fade. With new events taking control, the files in the hard disc of the brain are overwritten with the new ones. May be the space is limited. Or the brain decides to overwrite the file without waiting for a command from outside. But, some files are not overwritten. They still remain fresh with better recall effect. One such file is the events captured on 11 Sept 2001, the day when the twin towers were brought down, the day when thousands of innocent people lost their lives, the day when the Americans felt that their openness was exploited by the outside world. In a few months from now, one year will pass since this great tragedy struck this beautiful earth.
I was in the US to visit my daughter and I spent a full week of August 2001 there. Wherever I travelled, I breathed freshness and I admired the frankness of Americans and their systems. First encounter was with the Immigration official. He asked my profession and when I mentioned that I was a banker, he simply allowed me to pass with a broad smile and a remark "Oh! you deal with money." I was amazed at the way everyone was treated with equal care and courtesy. I saw people moving inside the airports as though they were in a shopping complex. Everything seemed to move with one single theme- I believe you and your words. Such is the simplicity with which people moved in the country. At Tucson where my daughter lived, both my daughter and the son-in-law were waiting to receive me well inside the airport and almost near the luggage retrieving belt. They could come in so freely and help me to retrieve my luggage. Such was the freedom they breathed every where. People were cordial and smiling but business like. So, when I returned to India and saw later, the fall of the mighty towers, my heart also sank and wept for the innocent people died in the tragedy. It was a deep hurt and wound. For quite some time, I was thinking as to why this has happened to these beautiful people of this wonderful country. A few thoughts crossed my mind on this occasion.
Post 11 Sept, the world is looking at Islam with a jaundiced eye. Who can we blame for this? The events made many to feel so. As in the case of any religion, in Islam also, there is a mixture of the eternal and universal ethical and spiritual elements. A number of scholars have given their interpretations on Islam and Prophet Muhammad. One such interpretation appeals to me most. This has come from Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. It was said that the character of Prophet Muhammad has been misrepresented, not only by many prejudiced non-Muslim critics, but also by the ambitious and worldly-minded faithful Muslims as well. Prophet Muhammad lived a simple life with a mission to fulfill for the goodness of humanity. The universality of the Prophet's message is also revealed in his teachings, that only those are nearest to his heart and God who do what is right. In several Suras of the Quran, one can come across this universal approach. According to him, the second Sura of the Quran commands us to believe, in not only what was revealed to Muhammad, but also in what was revealed to those who went before him. This clearly indicated the Prophets's acceptance of many true religions of which Islam is one. In a number of verses of the Quran, one can see the high example of tolerance and respect set by Prophet Muhammad in his dealings with non-Muslims. Particularly, Verse 256 of Chapter 2 of the Quran upholds religious toleration and fellowship and Verse 135 of Chapter 4 emphasizes justice and equity in interpersonal relations. These and other similar verses of the Quran proclaim truths which are eternal and universal.
Looking at 11 September, memory goes 108 years backwards. It was equally an eventful date in the history of America. On this day in 1893- exactly 108 years (2001)- Swami Vivekananda, the wandering monk from India in search of a way, made his memorable speech in the Parliament of Religions, Chicago. Christopher Isherwood writes on the speech thus in ‘What Religion in the words of Swami Vivekananda’, “In his deep voice, he began, ‘Sisters and Brothers of America’ and the entire audience, many hundred people, clapped and cheered wildly. Many did not know him at all. Even the voice of Vivekananda cannot fully explain it. A large gathering has its strange kind of subconscious telepathy, and this one must have been somehow aware that it was in the presence of that most unusual of beings, a man whose words express exactly what he is. When he said, ‘Sisters and Brothers of America’ he actually meant that he regarded the American women and men before his as sisters and brothers; the well-known orational phrase became simple truth”. He said that "We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true". The speech was short but moved the hearts of many a hundred present there.
As though he had the prophecy of what would happen over hundred years after his memorable speech, the events of 11 Sept 2001 had its echo felt in his speech. He said that “Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilisation, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now." How true were his words? How relevant is the message even today. And what a coincidence that these two events had taken place on 11 Sept?
Finally, my thoughts on the events of 11 Sept 2001 poured as verses and here they are:
"Eleventh September 2001, born from the deathbed of a thousand lives
Memories haunting of the darkness spread with sun still rising
America, a heaven on earth, raised its heat towards east in search of dark evil hidden there
World curious and wounded watched with awe!
Oh! God! Why did you do that to a peace loving nation?
Was the question in the lips of millions.
Offering my life if He returned one youth alive, was always my prayer.
Strangely God responded to my clarion call.
Happy felt I that a plant will be redeemed at the altar
God asked, "My Son, if I take your life, I may lose one good creation either"
"Shall I take the life of Osama, instead? He countered.
"Son, no life can replace another as no life is superior", continued He.
Evil done is the Foundation for a stronger tomorrow, ignorant don’t understand.
Your courage and your prayer honored
I bless America with stronger shoulders to carry greater responsibilities-
As America has always been
God is great, I found once again".
With the tenth anniversary of 11 September fast approaching, each one of us would need to introspect on the events that led to the tragedy and those ensued thereafter. Basically, every human being is endowed with good qualities and all religions are preaching tolerance of other beliefs and religions. Somewhere down the line, we began to drift and suffer. We need to increase our love and concern for others to maximize happiness for the humanity. Showing love, affection and concern for others is like riding a bi-cycle. One can ride a bi-cycle only to go forward. One can not ride it backwards. Life span is small and it is to be spent usefully for the good of all. Therefore, let us resolve not to inflict wounds on our brothers and sisters. Let us pave way for a new order to live in harmony and peace for all.
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[1] Written immediately after 9/11 disaster in US. Now, updated.
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