Sombre ceremony marks seventh anniversary of September 11 attacks

ABU DHABI // The religious and judicial adviser to the UAE President attended a quiet, informal ceremony at the US Embassy to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Sheikh Sayed Ali al Hashemi said: "The memory of September 11 is a humanitarian tragedy that beckons us to learn lessons of wisdom. "Neither fear nor misrepresentation are beneficial as a reaction to this tragedy.

"We must keep in mind that the grand majority of Muslims reject any offences against innocent lives, and that Islam cherishes human life and integrity. "In light of these times that we live in, when the world is witnessing so much meaningless violence, we must encourage those who look for truth and justice. "Jesus said: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.' "And the Prophet Mohammed said: 'Creatures are all the children of God. Those most beloved by Him are those who are most useful to His children'."

The US chargé d'affaires, Douglas Greene, said: "September 11, 2001, raises deep emotions for our citizens around the world. "On this day, we stood in shock and horror as we witnessed the death of thousands of innocent people at the hands of a few misguided individuals. "After the shock, we realised that these few individuals, in a perverse misinterpretation of a noble, peaceful, and dignified faith, claimed they had the right to commit murder and violence in the name of religion.

"We saw people of all races, all ethnic backgrounds, and all faiths, as brothers and sisters, reaching out to each other, helping each other, and sharing the pain. "We witnessed an outpouring of solidarity from other nations who understood that these attacks had nothing to do with faith, or God or righteousness. "Nations who - because of our common humanity and common values, because of shared beliefs across the boundaries of language and culture and faith - deplored the extremist ideology and the terrorist agenda of those who planned and executed 9/11."