The Statue of Liberty still stands in New York Harbor as the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center burn on September 11, 2001. Lest we forget. We were attacked.
"The Falling Man": A man jumps from one of the Twin Towers attacked in New York City on 9/11 by al Qaeda terrorists under the leadership of Osama bin Laden. Although the jumper's identity is uncertain, he is believed to be Jonathan Briley. Briley worked on the top floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center. It was there, in the restaurant, that he decided to jump. He was an asthmatic and knew he would not survive when smoke began to pour into the restaurant. Approximately 200 jumped or fell to their deaths that fateful September morning.
For those who gave their lives then, on Sept. 11, 2011, and for those who fight against terrorism we weep and pray and thank God for America.
It bears repeating, for those who have forgotten and for those who never knew: Bin Laden called for his followers and for all Muslims in the world to kill Americans. Here a translated excerpt of bin Laden’s 1998 fatwa:
On that basis, and in compliance with God’s order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims:
The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies — civilians and military — is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it, in order to liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy mosque [Mecca] from their grip, and in order for their armies to move out of all the lands of Islam, defeated and unable to threaten any Muslim. This is in accordance with the words of Almighty God, “and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together,” and “fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God.”
This is in addition to the words of Almighty God: “And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? — women and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Lord, rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will help!'”
We — with God’s help — call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God’s order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it. We also call on Muslim ulema, leaders, youths, and soldiers to launch the raid on Satan’s U.S. troops and the devil’s supporters allying with them, and to displace those who are behind them so that they may learn a lesson.”
Source: PBS
Readers: For more on the death of bin Laden, click here.
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