12 Years Later: September 11, 2013

10:06 AM


Read the original post here: Musings from Malaysia: 11 Years Later- How Living in a Primarily Muslim Country has Changed my Views of the World....

Has it really been one year since I wrote this post? 365 days, and thousands of miles away. How things have changed.
I've been back in the U.S. for almost 4 months now. People ask me questions about my Malaysia all the time, but sadly the questions, especially at school, range from "Did someone try to set you up to be in an arranged marriage?" to "I'm surprised you came back, you know, living with terrorists for a year."
It's heartbreaking. The people I called mom, dad, brother, sister, friend, teacher last year are labeled as terrorists here, simply because of their religion. Trying to convey a message of acceptance and tolerance can be difficult. The human race is one that likes to draw their own conclusions.
This isn't every American. Not at all. In fact, the attitudes are changing. I presented at a college fair with a colleague program last weekend about the YES Abroad Program. When I said the words "American high schoolers live in countries with significant Muslim populations for one year," I was humbled to see that parents and students alike weren't bothered by this. Maybe a little surprised, as Southeast Asia and Africa aren't common study abroad locations, but they were willing to hear me out. This is a response I doubt I would've gotten as little as 5 years ago. Acceptance is growing; it makes me proud to be an American.
As much as it has become a part of it, September 11th is not a religion based day. Muslims, Christians, Jews, Atheist, Hindus alike were victims of the attack. We all bleed red. Osama bin Laden was Muslim, Hitler was atheist, Westboro Baptist Church is Christian. Each religion has hate. Evil people doing terrible things. That doesn't change the beauty in the holy fasting month of Ramadan, or the empty tomb on Easter, or the menorah burning for eight long nights. It doesn't change the photos of the Christians in Egypt holding hands to make a human wall while Muslims pray, and then Muslims doing the same later. Religion may define a person, but a person shouldn't define a religion.

Tomorrow, I will stand with my schoolmates, wearing red white and blue, seeing the flag of this great nation fly. Tomorrow, we will respect the fallen, the wounded, the mourning, those who 12 years later, still live with the aftermath of this tragic event every day. Tomorrow,  is a day to remember. A day to respect, honor, and mourn. Tomorrow, our nation will be united, hearts beating as one. And all over the world, we must remember other countries are with us. Tomorrow, maybe we can put aside our differences for once, and remember that day 12 years ago, view it as citizens of the world, regardless of our backgrounds.


You Might Also Like

23 comments

  1. Bless the souls of those who perished in th 911 tragedy. We in Malaysia hope that you are able to share your personal experience with America that Malaysia, despite being a Muslim country consists of peace loving people of diversified races and religion.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Hanna for explain to them about us.. muslims.. :)
    I also wonder how will you to keep practice in malay language?
    Hehe.. mahu berborak dengan saya dalam bahasa melayu?

    ReplyDelete
  3. "Religion may define a person, but a person shouldn't define a religion."
    quote of wise one... well done... keep on writing...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Hannah, Thank you for being part of Malaysian. Any chance that you could come back here? Should explore other states though. Would love to hear more from you. Cheers :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Hannah yang cantik - who is both beautiful physically and spiritually. Your musings touched many of us here and like them, I hope you will one day come back to stay even longer here in Malaysia.

    The online universe is so wonderful that it enables to bring like minded people closer together. Lets hope, through writing and sharing of experiences, we can all bring peace to the world in our own small way :)

    p/s I've been to NY and enjoyed it immensely :) Phantom especially & the cool NYPD guys on the street :D Am going to SF next (this week to be exact) with the Malaysian PM himself and hope that Malaysia and the USA will continue to enjoy wonderful ties amongst their people and governments alike :)

    God Bless and love much,
    Marina (MDeC, Cyberjaya)

    ReplyDelete
  6. my name is khan, im not a terrorist..

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your writing..I enjoy to read your experience in Malaysia..someday you can come back again to Malaysia for holiday, and dont forget to invite your friend and family also..enjoy the adventure in Malaysia.. there still many palace you did not trace yet..with love from Malaysia :D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Black September adalah peristiwa yang menyakitkan karena menyudutkan umat muslim, please visit my blog www.goocap.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. September attack is not done by muslim but illuminati please search the truth from youtube,google, books or everywhere...
    P/s: i got this information from book by jerry d gray (an ex army) That book was sold in malaysia..

    ReplyDelete
  10. Black September, please visit my blog www.jogjawisatakita.blogspot.com or ww.jogwiser.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Indonesians now is very smart because they are a investing for travel insurance bali, they want to have their own security in the future

    ReplyDelete
  12. HANNNAHHHHH I MISSS YOU <3 i looooove your blog!!!
    how's the US ?:)
    http://verano-azul-malaysia.blogspot.de/

    ReplyDelete
  13. Glad that you enjoyed your year in Malaysia. Almost everyone have prejudice and expectations of others. Especially for those we do not know up close. That is why travel is important, to see the world for our own selves.

    ReplyDelete
  14. sight seeing malaysia provides kuala lampur tour packages and Malyasia tour packages.if you are looking for hotel accoummodation in malaysia we are also best.we also provides cheap kaula lumpur tour packages and cheap malaysia tour packages.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hanna I live in rochester let's hang out together btw im malaysia too!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. hannah dear i want going to usa i want see taylor swiff hihi.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is Really Amazing Post, It’s Really Helpful for Every Blogger. Thank you So Much. welding supplier malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  18. Do you need Personal Loan?
    Business Cash Loan?
    Unsecured Loan
    Fast and Simple Loan?
    Quick Application Process?
    Approvals within 24-72 Hours?
    No Hidden Fees Loan?
    Funding in less than 1 Week?
    Get unsecured working capital?
    Contact Us At :majidvijahlending@gmail.com

    LOAN SERVICES AVAILABLE INCLUDE:
    ================================
    *Commercial Loans.
    *Personal Loans.
    *Business Loans.
    *Investments Loans.
    *Development Loans.
    *Acquisition Loans .
    *Construction loans.
    *Business Loans And many More:

    LOAN APPLICATION FORM:
    =================
    Full Name:................
    Loan Amount Needed:.
    Purpose of loan:.......
    Loan Duration:..
    Gender:.............
    Marital status:....
    Location:..........
    Home Address:..
    City:............
    Country:......
    Phone:..........
    Mobile / Cell:....
    Occupation:......
    Monthly Income:....

    Contact Us At :majidvijahlending@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. $$$ URGENT LOAN OFFER WITH LOW INTEREST RATE APPLY NOW $$$
    Do you need Loan to pay off your debt and start a new life? You have come to the right place were you can get FUNDED at a very low interest rate. Interested people/company should please contact us via email for more details.

    Full name:
    Date of birth (yyyy-mm-dd):
    Gender:
    Marital status:
    Amount Needed:
    Duration:
    Address:
    City:
    State/province:
    Zip/postal code:
    Country:
    Phone number:
    Monthly Income:
    Occupation:

    E-mail: shadiraaliuloancompany1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Do you need personal loan? Does your firm,company or industry need financial assistance? Do you need finance to start your business? Do you need finance to expand your business? We give out loan to interested individuals who are seeking loan with good faith. Are you seriously in need of an urgent loan contact us at Email:arabcreditefirm@gmail.com
    APPLICATION DETAILS
    Your Full Details:
    Full Name:
    Loan Amount Need:
    Loan Duration:
    Phone Number:
    Applied before?
    State:
    Monthly Income:
    Country:
    You are to send this to our Company Email;arabcreditefirm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello Everybody,
    My name is Mrs Sharon Sim. I live in Singapore and i am a happy woman today? and i told my self that any lender that rescue my family from our poor situation, i will refer any person that is looking for loan to him, he gave me happiness to me and my family, i was in need of a loan of S$250,000.00 to start my life all over as i am a single mother with 3 kids I met this honest and GOD fearing man loan lender that help me with a loan of S$250,000.00 SG. Dollar, he is a GOD fearing man, if you are in need of loan and you will pay back the loan please contact him tell him that is Mrs Sharon, that refer you to him. contact Dr Purva Pius,via email:(urgentloan22@gmail.com) Thank you.

    BORROWERS APPLICATION DETAILS


    1. Name Of Applicant in Full:……..
    2. Telephone Numbers:……….
    3. Address and Location:…….
    4. Amount in request………..
    5. Repayment Period:………..
    6. Purpose Of Loan………….
    7. country…………………
    8. phone…………………..
    9. occupation………………
    10.age/sex…………………
    11.Monthly Income…………..
    12.Email……………..

    Regards.
    Managements
    Email Kindly Contact: urgentloan22@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My name is Mrs Ruth, I am a Citizen Of Austria.Have you been looking for a loan? Do you need an urgent personal loan or business loan? contact Mr Carroll Walker Finance Home he help me with a loan of 42,000 Euro some days ago after been scammed of 2,800 Euro from a woman claiming to been a loan lender but i thank God today that i got my loan worth 42,000 Euro. Feel free to contact the company for a genuine financial service. Email:(infoloanfirm8@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.

Contact Us

Name

Email *

Message *

Flickr Images

Subscribe