The Elon community began the day gathered in the same place it had 11 years earlier, when President Leo M. Lambert shared news of the unfolding tragedy.
University Chaplain Jan Fuller led a brief ceremony at College Coffee in Scott Plaza to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Father Gerry Waterman, Elon’s Catholic campus minister, and three students shared prayers from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faith traditions. The prayers were selected to encourage the Elon community to live lives grounded in “respect between religions and between people,” Fuller said.
Waterman shared a selection from the Christian Beatitudes, which focus on love, humility and understanding. Two students, freshman Shahad Haswa and junior Nada Azem, shared a selection from Al-Fatiha, the opening verses of the Quran. Haswa read the verses in Arabic, and Azem translated them into English for the audience. Sophomore Shoshana Trager lit a Yahrzeit, or anniversary, candle. In the Jewish tradition, the candle is lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s death and burns for 24 hours. In Hebrew, the word means “candle of the soul.”
“Today we come together to remember, honor and decide,” Waterman said. “We pray for the courage to love, rather than hate … to forgive rather than retaliate.”
Other events scheduled to observe the anniversary of Sept. 11 include:
1:15 p.m. – Parade of Heroes
Representatives of several Alamance County police, emergency and fire departments – including Elon Campus and Town of Elon police and Elon Fire and Rescue – will be part of the procession that begins at Magnolia Cemetery. The route is as follows:
- Oak Avenue north to Haggard Avenue
- Haggard west to Williamson Avenue
- Williamson north to N.C. 87 toward Western Alamance High School, A.O. Elementary School and Western Alamance Middle School.
6 p.m. – Interact with Respect: A 9/11 Discussion
The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life is hosting an interactive discussion on religious respect with the Sept. 11 attacks as a focus. Following the conversation, organizers will host an open mic session for any members of the Elon community who would like to share part of their religion and describe how respect plays a part in their life. All members of the Elon community are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Location: Isabella Cannon Room, Center for the Arts
Please contact rstanley4@elon.edu or truittcenter@elon.edu with any questions.