Yesterday marked the 10-year anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The attacks were associated with al-Qaeda, an Islamic organization founded by Osama bin Laden.
Being a Muslim, I frequently get asked about my thoughts toward the incident. For everyone that is wondering, here is my answer:
The word "Islam" comes from the word "peace" in Arabic.
Muslims are brought up on morals and beliefs to do good to others and not spread harm, no matter what your religious background is.
All Muslims are raised to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad.
In fact, Muslims believe that if they don't strive to be like the prophet they might as well not call themselves Muslims.
During the prophet's time, whenever Muslims would invade a city in the name of spreading Islam, there were strict orders to not hurt any civilians.
The elderly, women and children were asked to leave and were not harmed. It is a sin to harm any innocents.
The attacks of 9/11 had a death toll of 2,977 people. Those were 2,977 innocent men and women that were working – not at war with any Muslims. Of those, 31 were known to be Muslims, and died during the attacks.
Do I think this work would make the Prophet Muhammad proud?
No.
The prophet and the holy Quran teach us to lead by example and not use violence to force people to hear us.
Islam is a religion that teaches tolerance and acceptance of everyone around us. We believe that Allah is beautiful, and loves beautiful things.
The prophet said that all men, including women, are equal in Islam.
Arabs have no superiority over non-Arabs, nor do non-Arabs have superiority over Arabs.
In the article "Racism and Islam" by Hisham Zoubeir, he was quoted saying "The people of other faiths have always enjoyed religious toleration under Islam; when the Jews were being persecuted in the rest of Europe, they found freedom and sanctity in Muslim Spain."
The attacks have given Islam a bad name.
The association of Islam with terrorism and hate is a stereotype that needs to be put to rest.
Just because al-Qaeda believes that the attacks were justified doesn't mean all Muslims follow.
Living in the Bible Belt for the past three years and befriending many devoted Christians here on campus, I've learned that Islam and Christianity have a lot in common.
Both religions preach values and morals, stressing that violence is never the answer.
My deepest sympathies go to all the families of the men and women that died in the attacks.
I hope we can continue to find the positive in times like these instead of dwelling in sorrow.
Raslan is a senior digital media and design major of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
is a member of the 
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I suggest that before you say one more word about the tragedy of 9/11 or who was responsible, that you go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx9q5N8iV68 and watch and listen to this short video clip. The three young men being interviewed on Israeli TV were in a van on the George Washington Bridge on 9/11 and were stopped for being suspicious. They were held for a short time and then released to their homeland, Israel. Then a few months later in Novemver 2001, they were on an Israeli talk show. This clip is from that show. Listen well. It is the tip of an iceberg that is bigger than most anyone wants to mess with. When it has sunk all the way into your mind what was said and what the ramifications are to the comments, then I would like to hear what you have to say. I am sorry to have to break this to you. I come from a Jewish family too, Hinda, I can relate. But you do not have all the information. None of us have all of it, so we need to get together and put the pieces of the puzzle together. I had an epiphany two years ago, that Muhammad, peace be upon him, was actually foretold in the Torah and the Gospel and the Books of God were 'cooked', changed. I can show you this in no uncertain terms. That is why I became Muslim. Whether or not you or anyone accepts it is between you and God. My duty to God and to you is just to present the information and let it go, not debate or argue or try to convince. What you see on TV about Islam is not the reality. It is a gross distortion of the truth. There are misguided sects in all the religions, no doubt. The misguided sects are the ones getting all the media airtime and have hijacked the identity of the genuine article in the minds of the public because of the way it has been presented. You need to ask why this is, and let the truth set you free of the illusions. If you want something more accurate about Muhammad than the ususal fare dished out in the media, I invite you to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZCbToxL6Bs Or better yet, read the Qur'an and ask an expert to explain it to you. Things have been taken out of context, twisted and misrepresented. It is time for more truth to be revealed in this world. God gave us voices, high technology, information gathering tools, to do this. As a Muslim, I submit to God and wish the truth to be told, with the best manners and consideration for the listener. It is time to set the record straight. May God guide us all closer to His truth. Peace be with you.
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