MPR: Minnesota pauses in wake of terrorist attacks

Minnesota pauses in wake of terrorist attacks
By Tim Pugmire
Minnesota Public Radio
September 14, 2001

Minnesota church bells rang, people gathered for prayer services and local religious leaders called for peace and unity. Events were held throughout the state Friday in conjunction with a national day of prayer and remembrance to honor the victims of this week's terrorist attacks.

Hamdy El-Sawaf, executive director of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, condemned the terrorist attacks and offered condolences to the victims' families. Listen to his comments. Looking on (left to right) is Bishop John Hopkins, Minnesota Area of the United Methodist Church and Bishop Mark Hanson, St. Paul Area Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
(MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire)

Two-dozen hand-bell ringers greeted people entering the Cathedral of St. Paul for a noon service led by Archbishop Harry Flynn. Similar events took place throughout the country in response to President Bush proclaiming a national day of prayer and remembrance.

As the president participated in the service at National Cathedral in Washington, local representatives of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Jewish organizations gathered in Minneapolis to call for peace and unity in the aftermath of the national tragedy.

Dr. Shashikant Sane of the Hindu Society of Minnesota offered a prayer during an unprecedented, interfaith gathering.

Hamdy El-Sawaf, executive director of the Islamic Center of Minnesota, condemned the terrorist attacks and offered condolences to the victims' families. We join with all of you and all of the American people in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts," he said.

In Duluth, more than 1,000 people gathered in the plaza outside City Hall. A huge U.S. flag flew at half staff, as Mayor Gary Doty and local clergy led the service. Rabbi Amy Bernstein told the crowd that this week's events "should spur us to create a world safe for all children." Listen to her comments. (MPR Photo/Chris Julin)

Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says people of faith must recognize their anger, insecurity and impulse for revenge. He says the nation must also take an honest look at what fueled the anti-American hatred that led to the terrorism. "We must try to take the opportunity to understand it," he said. "We can never justify the acts that have occurred, but we must also understand and examine what is at the roots of this and which unfortunately fuels terrorism in our time."

In Duluth, more than 1,000 people gathered in the plaza outside City Hall. A huge U.S. flag flew at half staff, as Mayor Gary Doty and local clergy led the service.

Pastor Rolf Fure of the Duluth Gospel Tabernacle told the crowd to pray for the terrorists. "We pray that in your mercy and in your great love that you would convict them of sin. You would convict them of the wrongdoing. That Lord they be drawn to you first of all to get right with you. But Lord that they would come out of hiding, Lord that you would speak to their hearts, they come out of hiding, that they'd admit their wrong, they would take the punishment. Lord we're asking for a miracle,"said Fure.

The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance brought more than 200 people to a service outside the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The ceremony included a symbolic closing of the giant bronze doors of the Plummer Building, the original clinic structure. Dr. Hugh Smith, chair of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors, says the doors are closed only to mark time of great loss. Listen to his comments. (MPR Photo/Rob Schmitz)

At the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, hundreds of students, faculty and staff gathered on the Northrup Mall. Amy Olson, director of the Hilel Jewish Student Center, lit candles in remembrance of each terrorist attack and it's victims. "This one is for building one, and this one is for building two. This one is for the Pentagon and this one is for Pittsburgh," she said.

U of M students also gathered for a solidarity rally to combat prejudice and discrimination against Arab Americans and Muslim communities.

The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance brought more than 200 people to a service outside the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The ceremony included a symbolic closing of the giant bronze doors of the Plummer Building, the original clinic structure.

Dr. Hugh Smith, chair of the Mayo Clinic Board of Governors, says the doors are closed only to mark time of great loss. "The closing of these doors is a momentous visible acknowledgement of the grief and tragedy or nation is experiencing. These doors have closed fewer than 10 times since the completion of of the Plummer building in the early part of the previous century," he said.

An unidentified University of Minnesota student carries her message at a service called to quell harassment of Arab Americans in the wake of Tuesday's attacks.
(MPR Photo/Brandt Williams)

President Bush assured a country wounded by terrorism on Friday that America would meet its "responsibility to history" and "rid the world of evil." He approved the call-up of thousands of reservists, and Congress rushed to post a $40 billion down payment to rebuild and retaliate.

"This nation is peaceful but fierce when stirred to anger," the president said at a prayer service three days after hijackers flew jetliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing."

Bush spoke in a city on edge - and to a nation in mourning for the loss of an estimated 5,000 souls who perished in the attacks. "We will read all these names and linger over them and learn their stories, and many Americans will weep," the president said.

In a symbolic gesture, a Muslim cleric, Imam Muzammil H. Siddiqi, was among the first to speak. The Rev. Billy Graham, his walk slowed by age but his voice strong, said the nation's spirit would not be broken by a "cruel plot." To many of the nation's political and military leaders, past and present, he added, "We're facing a new kind of enemy. We're involved in a new kind of warfare. And we need the spirit of God."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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