Surprisingly, some family members of victims of 9/11 support controversial mosque in the heart of New York, near Ground zero. But is it really a surprise?

As the date 9/11 is closing in the calendar, Americans are becoming more and more emotional. Understandably. Nine years ago, on 9/11 they witnessed as the Islam fanatics, extremists, terrorists were ruining their country, killing three thousand of innocent people. In the heart of New York, Washington and in Pennsylvania. Undoubtly, that was the worst tragedy for US in decades. The tragedy, which stigmatized the generations, the tragedy which shaped the angle in which many Americans perceive the Muslim world, the tragedy which shaped also the Muslims in their attitude towards the West, the United States. But as in many cases, this one is no exception, it should not be forgotten that the generalization is the enemy of reconciliation. Of course, that to generalize is easy, it is even convenient, but it is also alibism pure and only narrow-minded people use one formula for solving the problems, treating the people. Viewing this perspective, the decision of family members of 9/11 victims to support the mosque near Ground zero is not a surprise. It is their generosity how they cope with the loss of their beloved during the tragedy.

"September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows" do not believe in generalization, but in reconciliation. They distinguish between the Muslims and the Islamist extremists. As they express, they support "religious freedom and diversity" and reject "crude stereotypes" in thinking which results in frightening and dividing the nation, nations, people. Because the stereotypes in thinking usually leads to the hatred and to tragedies compared to that one which happened in the heart of New York nine years ago. From this perspective the power of forgiveness is enormous.

Dagmar Benesova

Photo: ISIFA