2006 Speeches

Fifth Anniversary of 9/11

September 11, 2006

Dr. Roy L. Austin
United States Ambassador
All Saints Anglican Church

Good morning, and welcome to those assembled here to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the inhumane terrorist mass murder of citizens of more than 90 countries which occurred on September 11^th, 2001.

Terrorist attacks against the United States and our friends and allies began before 9/11/2001; but everything seems to have changed since that day. Certainly, large-scale terrorist attacks since seem more frequent: Indonesia, England, Spain, Jordan, India, Egypt. The international community confronts an ideology that promotes hate, destruction and death; that places no value on human life. This murdering of innocents has deeply affected the modern mindset. We check around us more frequently, thinking about security in a different way. Yet, many things have remained the same.

It may surprise many to learn that America remains a compassionate nation, working even with countries throughout the Islamic world to improve the lives of Muslims. America is the largest bilateral donor of aid to the Palestinian people. Americans were the largest providers of help to Muslims affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Pakistan. 

In America as well as in Trinidad and Tobago, people of different religions and races still coexist peacefully. And in both countries, as well as elsewhere in the world, all major religions share a commitment to social justice, compassion, concern for the poor, and love of family and community. All of these faiths teach that life is precious, and that taking innocent life, including your own, is always wrong. On 9/11/2001,  Trinidad and Tobago suffered the loss of 14 of its children:  Goumatie Thackurdeen, a systems analyst who loved to cook Trinidadian dishes for her family; Anthony Portillo, an architect and devoted father who collected calypso music; Clara Hinds, described by her coworkers as a “guardian angel;” men and women with every reason to continue living. 

We must remember them in ways that make sense to us; but let us not yield to the temptation to treat them as faceless “victims.” These were real, feeling, complex human beings with names: Joan Francis, Winston Grant, Vishnoo Ramsaroop.

The images of 9/11/2001 that should be burnt into our minds are not only those of senseless violence and hateful hearts but of people the world over standing together to condemn the atrocity. That was an appropriate time to affirm that all people are equal and equally deserving of justice, respect opportunity and dignity. Nor is it now too late to commit ourselves to living in accord with that conviction.

This memorial service unites people of different faiths, nationalities, races, ages and social backgrounds. It offers the message that these differences do not compel divisive actions; and we know this message to be true because there are many instances in nature in which differences attract rather than repel.

Today, let us resolve to win hearts -- one, by one, by one -- from the wickedness that turns differentiation into discord and violence. Let us remember the common humanity that should unite us; and our shared aspirations to be able to speak our minds, participate in our society, worship freely, live securely, and pursue an education, jobs and greater opportunities for our families.  This is a fitting way to honor the memory of the innocents who perished on that fateful September day.

May the Almighty bless us all and keep us safe from the terrorist menace that besets our world.