Nine years have passed but the deep scars still remain

Guest Commentary
By Raza Mirani

September 11th, 2010 marked the ninth anniversary of an event that changed the world we live in forever. 
The horrific act of violence that took place in New York city in 2001 has left an indelible mark on all of us.  As Pakistanis living in Canada it changed the way others looked at us and the way we looked at ourselves. 
Never again would questions about Pakistan or Islam go unanswered because we all became ambassadors and educators on that day. 
The world awakened to find a population of over a billion people they knew nothing about but that were now front and center in a debate that takes place to this very day: Islam - Good or Evil? 
Today was meant to be a day where a Florida Pastor was going to make his own statement by burning the book that all Muslims hold sacred. 
Reason prevailed over radicalism and the event was cancelled.  Debate still rages over a proposed Islamic Center being built blocks from Ground Zero.
 Nine years have passed but the deep scars still remain.
As we celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with family and friends we all take time to reflect upon the significance of this day. 
Regardless of what political stripe we ascribe to we acknowledge the pain and suffering of so many on this day.  We denounce the act that scarred our world and denounce those that took it upon themselves to define Islam in their own likeness. 
We also take time to remember the death anniversary of the father of our nation: Mohammad Ali Jinnah.  It was on this day in 1948 that our great leader was lost to us but only after completing his goal of establishing a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent. 
For over 60 years our nation has ebbed and flowed with the changing political climate and multiple social, economic and educational setbacks. 
Now Pakistan is in the midst of the worst natural disaster in recent history.  Over 2000 people have lost their lives, thousands more are at risk of losing their lives and millions have been displaced and left with nothing but the clothes on their back.  
Pakistan-Canada Association along with members of the Pakistani and Muslim community have taken the initiative to raise both funds and awareness.  Collectively I am proud to say we have exceeded $500,000 in contributions to the flood relief effort in Pakistan. 
This tragedy will continue for months and years to come and the need for help and supplies will not subside.  The outpouring of support from the Muslim community gives us all reason to be proud of our Ummah.  This is what Eid is about and this is what being a Muslim is about.
 Let this be the legacy of September 11th, 2010 and let us not forget the tragic legacy of September 11th, 2001.

Raza Mirani is the General Secretary of Pakistan-Canada Association