Let me tell you all from the very beginning that I am a 23 years old Muslim girl living in Pakistan. The fact I am a Muslim and living in a country that’s been seen by the world as an accomplice in the acts of violence against innocent citizens of the U.S. might very well make most of you cringe with disgust and even make some of you angry. But I just want to share with you how I and my family reacted to the 9/11 events. I saw the aeroplane hit the first tower on the cable and my first thought was…it’s all a game…something made by Hollywood but then slowly the truth… the horrible truth sank in. It’s real. No, my reaction or that of my family was not of jubilation. We did not go out on the streets shouting “Allah-u-Akbar” because as true muslims we know Islam is a religion of peace and a true muslim in his right senses would never dream of committing such a heinous act against innocent civilians. As is often said in the armies across the globe, soldiers are paid to die and a Palestinian or a Kashmiri taking out his anger against the U.S. Government by attacking them is to some extent understandable though not justifiable. In the list of the victims of the those who perished in the WTC was also the name of my brother’s school-fellow.

You who are grieving for your dear ones will be able to understand the agony of seeing the name of someone you have known all your life getting killed in such a terrible way. Just thinking about those innocent babies dying on the plane makes my eyes water. Let me tell you the majority of the citizens of Pakistan feel it was a most inhuman act and please don’t be convinced by the propaganda they show on T.V. We are as shocked and grieved as you are probably more because of the intense hatred we have to suffer from by everyone in your country due to the faults of a few barbarians who have utterly failed to understand the true spirit of Islam and that Allah is most merciful and the most beneficient. I pray for the souls of all those who met with such tragic ends and hope no such event happens in the future. Peace to all!