On Saturday, September 10, 2011, CAIR-WA joined forces with Americorps/Solid Ground and Habitat for Humanity to build community through service in remembrance of 9/11. The project consisted of a day of moving gravel to help insulate a duplex remodel-in-progress in Federal Way. In addition, activist and speaker Ayan Musse facilitated a discussion about what life has been like for American Muslims since 9/11.
Then, on September 11, 2011, CAIR-WA staff and volunteers participated in a number of events to mark the 10th anniversary of the national tragedy. Below is a digest of CAIR-WA participation in September 11, 2011 remembrance events:
- Flag raising ceremony at Space Needle: Upon the request of the Seattle Police Department, CAIR-WA arranged for former Muslim Students Association of UW member Zakiyah Qadir to participate in a flag raising ceremony at the top of the Space Needle.
- Click here to see video coverage of the event on KOMO News.
- Click here to view photos from the event.
- CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari spoke at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Mercer Island on the role of all Americans to move forward in unity to build a stronger nation.
- CAIR-WA volunteers participated in "Ashes to Hope," an interfaith remembrance event at the Kirkland Performance Center attended by approximately 300 participants, including Kirkland city officials and interfaith leaders.
- CAIR-WA linked Sammamish resident Tarik Hassane with officials at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Sammamish, to have him participate at a 9/11 commemoration event at that church.
- CAIR-WA Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari joined a panel of speakers including civil rights attorney Hardeep Rekhi, Assistant US Attorney Bruce Miyake and One America Executive Director Pramila Jayapal during the first half of an event organized on Sept. 11 by One America. The event was held at the Broadway Performance Hall. Speakers reflected on the need to continue the dialogue on the impact of the attacks and how we can move forward in bringing together different communities. The event consisted of two sessions - one looking back at the past decade and one looking forward - each with a short film screening followed by dynamic discussion, and then concluded with a candlelight vigil. "Justice for All," a short film highlighting a Seattle community forum post-9/11 was shown during the first session. After a break with some musical guests, attendees were welcomed back to view "Hawo's Dinner Party" and to discuss where we have come since 9/11 and what we hope to see happen in the future of this country. The event closed at 6pm with a candlelight vigil.
- CAIR-WA volunteers participated in an event hosted by Olympia View Church of the Brethren. It began with a service and reflfectioins on the events immediately following 9/11 where Northgate area church members stood vigil at the Idriss Mosque in Northgate. Following the service, CAIR-WA volunteers joined over 100 people of all faiths in a "Peace March" from Olympic View Church in Northgate to the Idriss Mosque in Northgate. The event ended with a candle light vigil and a social hour at the mosque.
