Five Years After 9/11:  Remembering, Rebuilding, and Looking Forward

Despite al-Qaeda's repeated attempts to characterize the world as being in the midst of a clash of civilizations, the simple fact is that the international community - east and west, north and south - has come together in unprecedented ways to confront common threats and ease human suffering.  America is doing its part, working in partnership with countries throughout the Islamic world to improve the lives of Muslims.  America is the largest bilateral donor of aid to the Palestinian people.  Americans were the largest providers of help to Muslims affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Pakistan.  We provide funds for Muslim girls and boys to go to school, for Muslim women to learn English, for Muslim young people to get training for jobs.  And in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are working in partnership with democratically elected Muslim leaders to provide freedom and security for Muslim populations that were brutally repressed under the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.

Despite al-Qaeda's repeated attempts to characterize the world as being in the midst of a clash of civilizations, the simple fact is that the international community - east and west, north and south - has come together in unprecedented ways to confront common threats and ease human suffering.  America is doing its part, working in partnership with countries throughout the Islamic world to improve the lives of Muslims.  America is the largest bilateral donor of aid to the Palestinian people.  Americans were the largest providers of help to Muslims affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Pakistan.  We provide funds for Muslim girls and boys to go to school, for Muslim women to learn English, for Muslim young people to get training for jobs.  And in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are working in partnership with democratically elected Muslim leaders to provide freedom and security for Muslim populations that were brutally repressed under the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.

As we look back on September 11, 2001, we also look forward.  We seek to work in a spirit of partnership with people and nations across the world to confront this ideology of hate and foster a climate of hope and opportunity.  We are far from perfect, yet we believe the ideals of freedom and justice that guide us are right and true for people everywhere.  We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in a more peaceful and prosperous world, and a better life for people everywhere.  And we renew our commitment to our founding conviction that all people are equal and equally deserving of justice, respect, opportunity and dignity.

Updated: September 8th 2006