Jews, Christians and Muslims commemorate together

WITHIN days of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York and Washington, Jewish, Muslim and Christian Australians arranged a well-attended multi-faith service of prayer and reflection in central Sydney.

A year later, members of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews (ANDCMJ), representing the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) and Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) met for a morning of reflection in Sydney’s Alexandria Mosque.

Earlier this month, a service of prayer and reflection marking the 20th anniversary took place, held online due to public health restrictions.

Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) director of international and community affairs Jeremy Jones opened the session with brief comments on dialogue and mutual support, before reading the widely reported statement he made together with Rev David Gill of the NCCA and Amjad Mehboob of AFIC in September 2001. As ECAJ president from 2001 to 2004, Jones was one of the organisers of the 2001 and 2002 gatherings.

The statement emphasised both grief and horror and called on Australians “to respond to the terrible events by strengthening the ties of faith and mutual respect that bind us together”.

“Our compassion for the victims and our horror at the inhumane deeds must not become an excuse for hatred or bigotry or be exploited by those who seek to divide us on the basis of religion or ethnic origin,” the statement said.

Two other foundation members of the ANDCMJ, Sheik Amin Hady and Sister Patricia Madigan, read prayers from their traditions, followed by comments by Rabbi David Freedman.

Rabbi Freedman emphasised that the commemoration was taking place between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, reciting the opening verses from Psalm 27, which is part of daily prayers of penitence in this period. He then blew the shofar, having earlier explained its significance.

Other reflections and prayers followed, with National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (NCJWA) president Melinda Jones outlining the Jewish belief that to destroy one life is to destroy an entire world, emphasising the cruelty of the terrorists and the importance of emphasising the value of each individual.

Jeremy Jones concluded the commemoration with reading from a prayer written by Rabbi John L Rosove, specifically compiled for commemorations of the September 11 event.

“The participants from the three faiths each contributed to a dignified and meaningful event, with heartfelt reflection and inspiring prayers,” said Jones.

“The diversity represented during the online service allowed each of us to not just share our reflections, but learn in the most authentic way about the face of our fellow Australians.”