America’s fight not with Islam, says Obama

US President Barack Obama speaks during a
ceremony commemorating the 11th anniversary of
the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2012 at the
Pentagon in Washington, DC. — Photo by AFP
WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama
assured the Muslims on Tuesday that
America’s war was with terrorists and not with
Islam. On the 11th anniversary of the Sept 11
terrorist attacks, President Obama and rival
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney
also reminded the world that in situations like
this the Americans always rose above political
considerations and fought together to defeat
the enemy .
“I’ve always said that our fight is with Al Qaeda and
its affiliates, not with Islam or any other religion,”
said President Obama while addressing a
remembrance service at the Pentagon.
“This country was built as a beacon of freedom and
tolerance. That’s what’s made us strong, now and
forever,” he said.
“On this most sombre day, those who would attack
us should know that we are united as one in our
determination to destroy them and to stand tall for
peace and freedom at home and across the world,”
said Mr Romney.
The remembrance began with a moment of silence at
the White House at 8.46am when the first plane
struck the World Trade Centre 11 years ago.
A few minutes later on an airport tarmac in Chicago,
Mr Romney greeted first responders to the terrorist
attacks.
Mr Obama arrived at the Pentagon at 9.37am when a
plane hit the US defence complex on Sept 11, 2011.
“Eleven times we have marked another Sept 11
come and gone. Eleven times we have paused with
remembrance and reflection,” he noted.
At the memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where
one of the hijacked planes crashed when passengers
tried to seize the hijackers, Vice President Joe Biden
prayed for healing.
“My personal prayer for all of you is that every
succeeding year you’re able to sing more than you
weep,” he told family members of those who died at
this site.
Also on Tuesday, President Obama extended a
national emergency, declared soon after the Sept 11,
2001, terrorist attacks which gives additional powers
to government officials for dealing with those who
commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism.
The emergency order was first issued on Sept 23,
2001, by former president George W. Bush.
In a message sent to the US Congress on the 11th
anniversary of the attacks, President Obama noted
that his predecessor had taken this action to deal
with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the
national security, foreign policy, and economy of the
United States.
Mr Obama noted that the continuing and immediate
threat of further attacks against US nationals or the
United States necessitated a national emergency.: