Distinguished Guests, Brothers and Sisters,

Peace be upon you.

Welcome to this special event of the Islamic Center's month long program in remembrance of 9/11 attack on America. Our country was attacked by evil forces in a vain attempt to inflict lasting damage to the spirit of our nation and its values of freedom, justice and security with civil liberties. Catastrophes bring forth the best and the worst in people. We have seen acts of murder, scapegoating and villainy. But we have also seen the best of what we are capable of; courage, heroism, compassion and faith. We have seen our nation unites together, rejecting the efforts of those groups who wanted to divide our country along religious lines.

Muslim Americans are citizens of this great country and part of the nation. We share with our fellow Americans, the indignation against the evil of terrorism and the pain and sorrow for those who were killed on this fateful day. Terrorism has no faith and we, the American Muslims strongly condemn acts of terrorism. Our religion commands us to work for peace, justice and for the love of our neighbors and our country.

On 9/11 American Muslims were victimized twice. We were victimized as citizens of the United States and we were selectively victimized by the rage perpetrated by the vitriol of Muslim-haters.

We, the American Muslims were terrorized, humiliated, insulted, physically abused and in some cases even murdered. Our patriotism was questioned.

American Muslims institutions were among the first to condemn terrorism as ugly sin against the core of Islam and its values. The sanctity of human life is a paramount in Islam. The Quran says: "If anyone slays a human being, unless is it punishment for murder or for spreading destruction on earth, it shall be as though he has slain all mankind, and, if one saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind" (5-32)

This tide of ill-will was however counter acted by the fairness and good will of the American public and by the actions of those who stood against injustice like our honorees today.

On this day of remembrance;

Let us all pray for the victims who perished in a horrific inferno, for the families who searched the smoking rubble, the streets and hospitals, in fading hope, to find their missing loved ones.

Let us all pray for the men and women of the N.Y. Fire and Police Departments who ran upstairs of the crumbling burning buildings in a selfless act beyond the call of duty.

Let us all pray for our fellow American Muslims the victims of unfair mistrust, hate and abuse.

On this day, we, at the Islamic Center of Southern California express our gratitude for our political and civic leadership for their unwavering stand with our God-loving, law-abiding communities against bigotry and hate mongering, religious leaders of various faiths and denominations who spoke the truth during challenging times when many extremists did not want the truth to be heard, law enforcement agencies that went beyond the call of duty to secure the country and every individual regardless of race, religion or national origin. As a token of our appreciation and in recognition of their support to the Muslim Community during the hard times we passed through, the Islamic Center is presenting the "Muslim Appreciation Award" to these distinguished leaders. The action of these leaders represents the true spirit of America: peace, tolerance and justice.

May God bless the souls of the victims of 9/11.

May God bless the families of the victims.

May God bless America.