Uncertainty at home, abroad marks Sept. 11 terror attack

It should be clear by now that America’s war on global terrorism is far from over, and that the goal of ridding Afghanistan and Iraq of Islamic extremists who would do us harm is not yet within reach.

Thus, on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attack on America’s mainland that claimed the lives of 3,000 Americans and foreign nations, the question remains: What will it take to win the hearts and minds of Afghans and Iraqis, many of whom view the U.S. as an invader?

The answer does not lie with spewing hatred against Muslims who had nothing to do with the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Most of the 21 terrorists who hijacked four commercial jets and flew two of them into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon and one into a field in Pennsylvania were from Saudi Arabia. The attacks were planned in Afghanistan by Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida terrorist network during the time the country was ruled by the Islamic extremist Taliban. The acts of terrorism triggered a U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan that resulted in the Taliban being ousted.

But before bin Laden and members of his inner circle could be captured or killed, President George W. Bush decided that an invasion of Iraq was necessary to topple Saddam Hussein.

Since then, the United States has been involved in two wars that have claimed the lives of thousands of Americans, caused thousands to be injured, and have cost at least $1 trillion.

But, the democratically elected governments in Baghdad and Kabul are still on shaky ground, and the death and destruction in the two countries have created a black lash against the United States.

Muslims abroad view this country with suspicion, and those negative feelings are exacerbated when they hear or read about the virulent reaction from Americans to the proposal to build an Islamic community center not far from Ground Zero in New York.

And, Muslim anger toward American soldiers and others in Afghanistan and Iraq is stirred when Afghans and Iraqis hear a Christian pastor in Florida advocate the burning of more than 200 Qurans.

Even the widespread condemnation of Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Center in Gainsville, Fla., will not appease the very Muslims the U.S. and its coalition partners are trying to win over.

General’s warning

Indeed, Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, warned that the burning of the Qurans would put American troops in extreme danger.

Religious leaders of all faiths in the U.S. and around the world urged Pastor Jones not to proceed with the burning.

If Gen. Petraeus’ warnings come true and Americans are killed or injured in Afghanistan, Iraq or any other Muslim country as a result of this controversy, their blood will be on Jones’s hands and the hands of his parishioners.

And if violence flares in this country with Muslims and non-Muslims clashing, Jones should be held responsible.

Today’s anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks should be a day of prayer for the victims of the attacks and for the successful conclusion of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It should not be a day of hatred and violence.