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| Meeting with Maria and John Chrin |
These past few days have been jam packed with activities! Seeing New York City through the eyes of those who have never seen it before was an experience I really cherished; the girls were so happy, excited and overwhelmed and it brought me great joy to see them this way. Meeting with Maria and John Chrin was an awesome experience because we got to meet one of the people that make programs like ours possible. I am so grateful to her for providing opportunities like this to Lehigh students and she is an amazing and inspiring person.
The most challenging and controversial visit in NYC was when we met with Daisy Khan. My family and community were deeply affected by the events of 9/11 and it is still a sore subject for me to talk about. I remember sitting in my third grade class when we got the news and being so worried when my mom called to come and get me--I thought my dad was dead because his precinct was very close to the World Trade Center. Thankfully he did not go into work that day, but he did take part in much of the cleanup and even took part in the cataloging of many people's remains whom we knew personally or through friends. It was a very scary and sad time for America and especially New York. Going to the memorial was very hard for me because it was the first time I had been able and brave enough to go all the way in. I had not been that close since before the buildings fell. I was glad we went though because it was a very peaceful and cathartic experience for me after our speech with the brilliant, Daisy Khan.
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| Listening to Daisy Khan |
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| Dinner in Little Italy |
When I
had first heard about what Daisy Khan and her husband were planning, I
was really hurt. How could someone be so insensitive? Why would they put
their center so close to where the attacks took place? After listening
carefully to everything Daisy had to say, I was surprised to feel my
opinion shift. I didn't understand what she was planning to do and the
talks that she wanted to initiate, and after hearing that it was a
inter-religious dialogue center, I felt like an idiot. I had taken what
the news stations were saying as truth when in fact, they were
completely exaggerated. While I still think the location of the
mosque/community center is not the best idea, I agree that 9/11 needs to
be talked about. Daisy was right; we never healed. I also really liked
that she explained that that attack was not only on the WTC but on the
Muslim religion itself. I hope that in the near future, more Americans
will understand that the Muslim fundamentalists that carry out terrorist
acts are not the majority of their population. I hope that they
understand that terrorism is a threat to all Americans-not just the
white ones. It really, really, really, bothers me when these potentially
intelligent Americans let their prejudices and ignorance overcome their
capacity to love and cherish one another for the people we are and the
beliefs we have.
Once we had finally arrived in DC, it was great to see all of the landmarks and to see it once again with fresh eyes. Our Indonesian partners have fantastic questions, often about things I would normally take for granted or not even think of. I am really proud of the friendships we are forming and the dialogues we are having. I think this program has definitely come a long way. After reflecting on it today at American University, I can honestly say that this experience has changed the way I look at America. I have always been critical of America, but being in a different country and in a place so different from home only makes me appreciate the good things more. We are so lucky to have the freedoms that we do and to be able to express ourselves and our religion and that is one thing I no longer take for granted. I am so happy I decided to participate in this program and that I was presented such a wonderful and fulfilling opportunity. Until tomorrow! Ciao!!
--Shannon Cassidy, Lehigh University
Meeting two inspiring women in NYC
--Cindhi Cintokowati, Gadjah Mada University
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| Meeting with Daisy Khan |
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