I AM Youth call for Better Together on 9/11 and beyond

Regardless of how sad, offended or angry Americans were on the eve of September 11, 2001, we were not lost or divided. Regardless of how shattered and crumbled our buildings were, our hearts were in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of all faiths and ethnicities. Regardless of how confused, bitter or reactionary some of us were, the majority of us stood together as one nation, because we knew we were better together.

The fire was fierce, but our firefighters jumped in it to save others. The buildings were crumbling, but our paramedics went in to get others out. The rubble was hazardous, but community members kept digging until every beloved person was placed to rest in peace. The duties were long. The jobs were tiresome. The air was polluted. The emotions were high. The eyes were wet. The hearts were heavy. But nothing took us apart.

Together we took care of our dead and injured. Together we mourned. Together we found hope and faith in each other. But then some people did not like that unity and harmony in the American people. They took it upon themselves to divide the community through fear and hate-mongering. They have been investing millions of dollars in the last ten years to incite hatred against Muslim Americans. With this kind of agenda and money, they have kept America focused mostly on death and destruction.

In the post 9/11 era, we have focused so much on the hate that we forgot to love. We have mourned so much for our deaths that we forgot to celebrate our lives. We have focused so much on our attackers that we forgot to celebrate our rescuers. We have focused so much on attacking the enemy that we forgot to make friends. We have focused so much on dividing the community that we forgot uniting it for our own sake.

I AM Youth members and mentors after Sprucing Up
Near-Eastside Columbus on Earth Day 2011



But that’s not true for some of us. Regardless of strong hate campaigns and negative media narratives, we have also been blessed with several outstanding leaders and individuals who took it upon themselves to join our communities together. These are our soldiers of civility who are fighting for America within America. They are our freedom fighters, who are constantly protecting our Constitution and the American dream of justice for all.

Over the last ten years, these Americans have been building bridges over the turbulent waters. They are faith leaders, public servants, politicians, teachers, laborers, lawyers, students, and people from all walks of life. They have set a harmonious tone of inclusiveness and unity through their sacrifices and hard work. They have kept the American dream alive through their activism and services.

As the media focuses on villains more, most of these heroes have gone unnoticed through these years. But some dynamic interfaith youth leaders in Columbus, Ohio, have decided to change the trend this year, at least in Columbus. They have decided to change the narrative of 9/11. They have decided to pay tribute to their heroes and to celebrate the revival of community spirit along with the remembrance of those who lost their lives ten years ago.

Interfaith Action Movement of Youth (I AM Youth) started as Columbus Interfaith Youth in January of 2010. A handful of adults (including myself) and youth inspired by Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) of Eboo Patel decided to start a group that would gather teenagers of different faith orientations for community service projects.

In the last twenty-one months, we have followed Patel’s path and have evolved as a thriving interfaith youth movement in the greater Columbus area. To my knowledge, this is the only interfaith youth program here that empowers teenagers.

On September 11, we are gathering some of the best young and old heroes in our city under one roof. Our event’s title, “Better Together,” is also an effort to stay close to the vision of IFYC. The subtitle, Path to Peace and Justice: Faith, Service and Unity, explains our vision. This event is a mix of a conference, an award ceremony, and a music festival. People of all faiths, ages, races and ethnicities are welcome.

 

This event is sponsored by Tifereth Israel, Islamic Society of Greater Columbus, Covenant Presbyterian Church of Columbus, First Congregational Church of Columbus, Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society, Interfaith Center for Peace, Justice Action Ministry of First Unitarian Church, and Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council.

Award recipients include: Columbus Mayor Coleman, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department and several interfaith and social justice leaders.

This day, we will be gathering to heal and to discover a new beginning. A new era of construction, inclusiveness, friendship and finding comfort in each other. A new era of combining youth power and old wisdom. A new era of being better together.