Many Americans are attending special ceremonies today to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001, attack on New York City's World Trade Center. Some observers believe Islam has in fact benefited from the terrorist attacks that day because of a successful public relations campaign portraying Muslims as the victims.
Eleven years ago, America and its citizens were thrust into the war on terror when two commercial airliners -- commandeered by 19 terrorists -- smashed into the Twin Towers minutes apart on a clear morning, ultimately causing both towers to collapse upon themselves and killing more than 2,700 people.
In similar fashion, another airliner crashed into the Pentagon, killing almost 200. Another 40 people aboard United Airlines Flight 93 perished when their aircraft went down near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers overpowered terrorists who many believe planned to plow into the White House or the U.S. Capitol.
In total, almost 3,000 individuals died at the hands of Islamic terrorists that day.
That morning Faith McDonnell of the Institute on Religion & Democracy (IRD) was about to host a press conference on Sudan's involvement in global terrorism when she learned that aircraft had been flown into the Twin Towers. She says the spiritual impact on America was huge initially, but then mixed -- and then Americans raised the question of why their country had been attacked in such a horrible manner.
"And I think that there has been an enormous amount of spiritual deception since 9/11 that has come forth -- and that radical Islamists have used this to their advantage," she tells OneNewsNow.
McDonnell explains the effort was similar to a public relations campaign. "And immediately [they] began the idea of the victimization of Muslims -- so that almost before the ash had finished blowing in Manhattan, we were more worried about Muslims being victimized because they were Muslim and because of 9/11 than we were about those who had been murdered."
The IRD spokeswoman adds that a distinction needs to be made between Islam and Muslims because there are certainly those who want to live peaceful lives, and that there should be no feeling of hatred toward Muslims -- "but that Islam is a dangerous ideology" and needs to be stopped. She says it is a way of going against "our Constitution and our sovereignty" as a nation by challenging it from within.
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'Perceived persecution'
The head of a messianic Jewish ministry believes that thanks to political correctness, the events of 9/11 have actually helped advance the cause that the terrorists intended that fateful morning. Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries, says there has been a "non-existent" persecution of Muslims since 9/11.
"It seems to be that there's an overreach to make up for this perceived persecution," she comments. "I mean, Christians are put down in America, [but] Muslims are lifted up. Christians are mocked in America, but Muslims are praised. Christian events such as the National Day of Prayer in America [are] marginalized, but Ramadan and other Islamic institutions are praised."
A recent example, says Markell, took place at the Democratic National Convention when a Muslim state representative was given the honor of announcing Michigan's votes for Barack Obama's nomination.
"I'm not suggesting that this woman at the convention is any kind of a terrorist," she continues, "but when we keep bending over and then caving to try to do all things properly and correctly as it concerns Islam, we're going to make a mistake someday that's going to cost us a lot."
According to Markell, political correctness surrounding the Muslim faith is the fault of both political parties. She says George W. Bush started it when he stated: "Islam is a religion of peace."
Looking back on terrorist attack, praying for nation
As America today remembers the events of 9/11, Christians in the U.S. are gathering to pray for a new spiritual awakening in their country.
People are gathering in courthouses or churches for one hour of prayer. Billy Wilson of the Awakening America Alliance says in the grassroots communities of America there is still a lot of emotional and spiritual energy around 9/11.
"I think all of us have a sense that 9/11 meant more than just a terrorist attack," says Wilson. "We see that resonating across America. Even 11 years later, there's still a lot of energy -- but I think beyond that they realize that this is a very significant day both for America's history and also for America's future."
Wilson believes what ought to resonate with people is that the fight is spiritual in nature.
"[The events of] 9/11 sort of signaled a new era in America," he says. "Things collapsed. We had the encroachment of darkness really on the shores of America in a new way -- and since that time we've sort of seen the same happening all through the 21st century. So we're overdue for an awakening and a turnaround spiritually in America."
After the Cry Out America prayer sessions today, Christians will gather in Philadelphia on September 28-29 for the launching of the America for Jesus 40 days of prayer and fasting leading up to the election.