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911 & al-Qaeda
Interview with Wright Salisbury: How a 911 Family Builds Bridge of Interfaith Cooperation by Sophia Barkat It's hard to recover from personal loss. Wright Salisbury has taken his loss and turned it into something we can all learn from. On September 11, 2001, Wright Salisbury's son-in-law Ted Hennessy, Jr. of Belmont, MA was killed during the al-Qaeda attacks. Concerned for the society in which he lived, Wright Salisbury subsequently founded The Alliance for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding. Mr. Salisbury is also the author of the soon-to-be published book, Waging Peace in a World at War. Intrigued by his magnanimity I took the chance to write him about his experience involving the creation of The Alliance for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding. Here is that interview: SB: Your family lost a loved one on Sept. 11, 2001, for which the al-Qaeda, a Muslim group, has taken responsibility. What were your feelings towards Muslims in general at the time? WS: Prior to 9/11, I knew very few Muslims. Since that time I have made friends with a lot of Muslims and learned a lot about them and about Islam. SB: How did you become motivated to form The Alliance for Jewish- Christian-Muslim Understanding? WS: I was motivated by the understanding that the only way to overcome religious hatred is for people of different faiths to get to know each other. My experience is that you cannot meet a family from another religion and dislike people of that religion. SB: How did your family and friends feel about this undertaking? WS: My family and friends have all been supportive. SB: Did you face much public opposition at the time? WS: I have faced no public opposition. SB: What are some programs you have to foster greater understanding through The Alliance for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding? WS: We have sponsored 12 interfaith meetings in churches, synagogues, mosques and colleges since Oct., 2002 and I ran the Interfaith Candlelight Vigil on Boston Common on 9/10/03 with the chairman of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. In May, we will launch the International Interfaith and Peace Network, an Internet database of all interfaith and peace organizations worldwide, their personnel and events. This coming Sept. 10, we plan to hold an Interfaith Candlelight Peace Vigil again on Boston Common, this time with participation by more religious communities. SB: How did you go about inviting the Clergy of other faiths to join in and was it easy? WS: Other clergy are generally eager to join our efforts. SB: Do you think the project was possible because your community is generally very broadminded? WS: Our church (the Church of Our Redeemer in Lexington, MA) has been very supportive, as has the Reform Temple, the Methodist Church and the mosque in Wayland, about 15 miles away. SB: Are you hoping that clergy from other States will join or emulate your project? WS: I helped start the Center for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding in Westchester County in New York before I moved to Massachusetts and they have made a video and held a number of successful programs. To start such a Center or Alliance requires a large of commitment in time, and we would like to see more of them, but we would have to find individuals who are passionate and willing to devote the time and effort required to make them work. It also requires them, if they are to accept tax-free donations, to apply for and receive 501(c)(3) non-profit status. SB: What advice do you have to those trying to start more projects like The Alliance for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding? WS: Find a few individuals who are passionate about interfaith understanding, probably in a church, synagogue or mosque. We will give them samples of the kinds of posters and materials we use, but from then on, it will be up to them. SB: Did you need funding? Has it been easy to get funding? WS: We haven't needed a lot of funding. What we have gotten has been from board members, synagogues, churches and mosques, a great deal of it from my own church, The Church of Our Redeemer in Lexington. What is needed mostly is a lot of hard work. SB: How long has The Alliance for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding been active and how many people are involved? WS: We have been active since I arrived in Lexington two years ago. We are incorporated and presently have four board members, but may add more. We don't want anyone to serve on the board who is not willing to work and attend monthly meetings. The Center in New York had, at last count, 6 board members but I think are planning to add more. SB: Where can people go to find out more about the project? WS: For starters, you can go to allianceforunderstanding.org/literary or can write to me at 17 North St., Lexington, MA 02420 or e-mail me at sasmedia@rcn.com. SB: Your soon to be published book -- Waging Peace in a World at War -- does this draw from your involvement in the Alliance? When will it be released? WS: I am not sure of the release date of Waging Peace in a World at War, though it is nearly ready to go to press. It will be preceded, I am told, by a good deal of publicity and speaking engagements by me. SB: How do you feel the 911 Commission is handling the investigation process? Are these topics ever brought up in the Alliance? Do you, as an organization, involve yourself in the process? WS: We do not involve ourselves in the 9/11 process. We are strictly non-political, though I have political opinions and don't hesitate, as an individual, to express them. SB: Are other 9/11 families involved in the Alliance? WS: No other families of 9/11 victims are involved with the Alliance. We would welcome them, but as it happens there are none. SB: Have the Press covered the Alliance and what kind of coverage has it been? WS: Press coverage of the Alliance interfaith meetings has been good in the local press. The coverage of the Interfaith Candlelight Vigil was extensive, with news coverage on all three major networks, in the Boston Globe and on local radio stations. SB: What do you say to American families struggling with the loss of 911 and who have soldiers in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars -- can more religious understanding bring peace and security to America? Can it convert the enemies of America into friends? WS: Our answer to all questions is that, while it is necessary to defend ourselves, violence will only beget violence and hatred will only beget hatred. Ultimately, and soon, we will have to learn to get along with each other. And yes, religious understanding and respect are a necessary component of any prospects for peace and harmony in the world. About the Author(s): See under Our Contributors to find out about the Author(s) of this article. |
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