September 11 Memorial
Berlin, September 11, 2007
Ambassador William R. Timken. Jr.

Ambassador Zulfacar,
Imam Ljevakovic,
Herr Piening,
Herr Hoffman,
Members of the Muslim Academy and the Islam Forum.
Ladies and gentlemen,

 

Thank you for coming to our house to help us commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  9/11 is a difficult and painful day for Americans and people around the world.  Unfortunately the evil of that morning has reappeared on other days, in other places in the six years since 9/11. Governments are working closely to combat these threats.  Just last week, the German police authorities made a number of arrests and prevented some potential major attacks. We appreciate these efforts. 

 

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, the United States government has also made special efforts to emphasize something that has always been true - that the many Americans who practice Islam continue to enjoy the fruits of both their citizenship and their faith.  The United States welcomes its ties and friendships with Muslim nations and communities around the world. 

 

We want to make clear that the idea fostered by extremists of a “West” in conflict with Islam is simply wrong.  Islam is one of the world’s major religions, the youngest of the three great faiths arising from a profound Middle Eastern tradition.  The vast majority of people in our world – Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist or any other, and those of no particular faith at all – want to live secure lives of opportunity.  This is not a goal owned by any one culture or country.  It is a shared human goal.  In responding to the great tragedies and great crimes of this world, much more unites us as people than divides us.   Decent people throughout the world must be of one voice in loudly stating that no grievance can ever justify the targeting and killing of innocents.  

We have a deep interest in making sure that this devout, mainstream voice is heard from throughout Muslim communities.  When President Bush asked me to become our country’s Ambassador to Germany, he specifically highlighted the importance of building and deepening the personal contacts between Americans and Germans of all religions and cultures.  I speak frequently with President Bush.  Last year I told him about the moving ceremony the Embassy held at a local Berlin church to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the attacks of September 11.  But I also told him about the prayer services that were held separately and independently in 40 Berlin mosques to commemorate the tragedy.  That Prayer for Peace reflects the true face of Islam.  For that reason we reached out to the Muslim community in this year’s commemoration.  We would like to thank the Muslim Academy and the Berlin’s Islam Forum for their cooperation.   In that vein, we will continue to explore the topic of religious dialogue with Berlin’s religious communities, including the Jewish community, each year on September 11.  It symbolizes the spirit of dialogue that we are seeking to develop.  In these challenging times, dialogue is critical. It leads to understanding and to friendship. 

Dear friends, Sue and I are happy to welcome you into our home, here at the official residence of the American Ambassador to observe together this tragic moment in the history of our world. 

 

Now, I invite Ambassador Zulfacar, Herr Piening, and Herr Hoffman to join me in a long moment of silence to reflect on the sorrows and on the lessons of this day. 

 

Immediately afterward the Imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bosnians, will offer a prayer to close our ceremony.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for a moment of silence.