by Jerome Pinder
9 years have passed since America came under attack on their own soil. The images of commercial airliners, loaded with innocent passengers, are as fresh today for some as they were on September 11th 2001. And who can forget desperate individuals jumping out of the Twin Towers, trying to escape the fiery inferno.
Unfortunately, many now take the attitude that the attacks are a thing of the past, as if it can never happen again. Recently the former 9/11 co-chairman Lee Hamilton, warned Americans about becoming to complacent.
9 years ago, Muslims danced in the streets at the site of planes flying into the twin towers. Today, the President of the United States and other leaders would have us believe that the Muslim religion is one of tolerance. However, it is not a religion of tolerance, it is a matter of accepting the religion, being forced to convert, or facing death. We are to accept their religion, when they are not prepared to accept Christianity and other religions. Does Christianity force itself on non-believers?
The current controversy surrounding the building of a mosque near Ground Zero speaks volumes about the Muslim religion. The Christian religion would not offend their neighbor, as it is a religion of peace, acceptance, and forgiveness. However, the Muslims are prepared to construct this mosque no matter who they offend and insult. This is just one of many examples. It is clear that the American Leadership is bending over backwards to accept the Muslim faith, while Christianity is being pushed into a corner.
Over the course of the last 9 years, thousands of soldiers (primarily Americans), have given their lives to protect our freedom. Many soldiers will carry scars for the rest of their lives, a constant reminder of why we have certain freedoms today. Let us not forget the brave Police Officers and Firefighters, who rushed to their death trying to protect their fellow man. And let us not forget the families of these fallen heroes.
Yet after all this sacrifice, we are prepared to accept that a child of the Christian faith cannot pray in American Schools, but Muslims can openly pray in downtown New York. You can decide this one for yourselves.
The present course of tolerance being taken by the American Leadership will not change the goal of the Muslim faith, which is to dominate over other religions.
On this anniversary of 9/11, I wish to thank the American Soldier and the thousands of other responders who continue to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms of the Western World.
As Bahamians, we should not forget this sacrifice!
