Interfaith service promotes unity and honors 9/11 victims

People of all faiths gathered at The Cathedral of St. Andrew on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. to celebrate unity and to remember lives lost ten years ago. Clergy from Native American, Lutheran, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Episcopal, Hindu and Presbyterian traditions led those who attended in songs, readings, sacred texts, prayers and a blessing of first responders' vehicles.

The spirit of the afternoon event was expressed through many words such as these taken from Christian scriptures and read by Dr. Sharif Sahibzada, Imam of the Islamic Center of West Michigan: "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart--so don't be troubled or afraid." 

The First Battalion 24th Marines Alpha Company led a walking procession to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, a location chosen because it is roughly equal to the distance those in New York City had to travel to get away from the debris that fell from the destruction of the World Trade Center towers.