story1670.xml
Title
story1670.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2002-09-03
911DA Story: Story
I would like to record a small act of heroism that occured following the events of September 11, 2001. It compares little with the heroics displayed by firefighters, police and the Americans on Flight 93, but it's worth noting.
I teach a course in Humanities at Los Angeles Trade and Tech. The semester began on Wednesday, Sept. 5th. I informed my students that, among other things, we would be studying the origins of world religions. After class, one student sought me out and asked if the lectures included Islam. "Yes," I answered. "Why, are you a Muslim?" She said yes and smiled broadly, delighted that I at least knew the difference between the words "Islam" and "Muslim."
School was cancelled on Sept. 11th. I knew my students would have a million questions the next day, so I prepared a special lecture. I researched the history of Palestine, because it was thought at that time that Palestinian nationals had been behind the attacks. I also prepared my lecture on Islam, and looked up information on Osama Bin Laden as his name had been mentioned as well.
I wondered often if my Musilm student would attend. After such an affront by members of her faith, it seemed likely that she would want to avoid public exposure.
I was wrong. She not only came to class, she sat in the center in the front row. As I talked about Islam, she offered the correct pronouciation of Arabic terms and clarification on political issues. She seemed anxious to let us all know that she and her faith were not evil.
The action this student took to attend class that evening is the bravest thing I have ever wintessed personally. I don't know if I would have had the courage to sit in a room with 35 angry Americans at my back if I had been her that day. And by the way, she made an A.
I teach a course in Humanities at Los Angeles Trade and Tech. The semester began on Wednesday, Sept. 5th. I informed my students that, among other things, we would be studying the origins of world religions. After class, one student sought me out and asked if the lectures included Islam. "Yes," I answered. "Why, are you a Muslim?" She said yes and smiled broadly, delighted that I at least knew the difference between the words "Islam" and "Muslim."
School was cancelled on Sept. 11th. I knew my students would have a million questions the next day, so I prepared a special lecture. I researched the history of Palestine, because it was thought at that time that Palestinian nationals had been behind the attacks. I also prepared my lecture on Islam, and looked up information on Osama Bin Laden as his name had been mentioned as well.
I wondered often if my Musilm student would attend. After such an affront by members of her faith, it seemed likely that she would want to avoid public exposure.
I was wrong. She not only came to class, she sat in the center in the front row. As I talked about Islam, she offered the correct pronouciation of Arabic terms and clarification on political issues. She seemed anxious to let us all know that she and her faith were not evil.
The action this student took to attend class that evening is the bravest thing I have ever wintessed personally. I don't know if I would have had the courage to sit in a room with 35 angry Americans at my back if I had been her that day. And by the way, she made an A.
Collection
Citation
“story1670.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed December 13, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/10302.