spotlight after the attack because the terrorists were Arab.
“This was not us,” said El-Yateem, a Palestinian native. “We love this country. What happened on 9/11 hap- pened to all of us. The Arab commu- nity in Brooklyn also was victimized. We lost loved ones and we lost jobs. Because we looked like the terrorists, we faced a lot of harassment and anger after 9/11.”
Increased tolerance Salam and the other congrega- tions of the Metropolitan New York Synod have worked hard over the past 10 years to raise awareness for cultural tolerance. “It’s better now,” El-Yateem said. “We are seeing the fruits of our hard work. We are one community. One hardworking com- munity, rebuilding in New York just like everyone else. It’s part of who we
are as Americans.”
Salam has experienced its share of financial difficulties since 9/11 and was forced to give up its worship space when the synod sold the prop- erty at the beginning of the year, El- Yateem said. The congregation found a new home, however, with neighbor- ing Our Saviour Lutheran. El-Yateem said on this 10th anni- versary he will participate in several interfaith gatherings in New York City. He looks forward to these events continuing to build bridges and heal differences. “We continue to be chal- lenged by the events in the Middle East and we are haunted by the 9/11 experience. What is now happening in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to affect our people,” he said. Marlene Lund, executive director of the Center for Urban Education Ministries for Wheat Ridge Minis-
tries, Itasca, Ill., was director of the Lutheran Schools Association in New York 10 years ago. If one good thing emerged from the tragedy, she said, it’s that tolerance is now taught in schools. After 9/11, curriculums changed and Lutheran schools began giving more than lip service to teach- ing tolerance, she said. As a native New Yorker, even her awareness of cultural differences and the need for forgiveness changed. “If one good thing came from 9/11, it’s people caring for people,” Lund said. “We’re kind of oblivious to each other. Now I am fully aware of other people. If someone looks lost on the streets of New York, I’ll go up to them and say, ‘Can I help you?’ ” M
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