Different Faiths, Cultures, Generations Commemorate 9/11

The 9/11 memorial service at the in Wayland was designed as an interfaith event. In truth, it was interfaith, intercultural, intergenerational and otherwise an evening of togetherness.

“I was looking for something with Muslims because I want to show my support,” said Boston resident Cam Wilson, a Christian Scientist, who drove with her friend to Wayland specifically to attend Sunday evening’s service. “We wanted an interfaith meeting, preferably in a Muslim community.”

Speakers included Rabbi Neal Gold of ; Rev. Ken Sawyer of ; Rev. Bruce Pehrson of ; Chief Robert Irving; Rep. Tom Conroy (D-Wayland); and Dr. Ghiath Reda, imam of the Islamic Center of Boston.

Each man took the podium with different words, but a similar message: There are lessons to be learned from 9/11 and communities must come together to support one another in good times and bad.

“I think one of the points of all those tributes [he’d heard that day], is to help us recall the qualities in the people we lost that day,” Conroy said. He cited bravery, boldness, courage, compassion, dedication, faith, fellowship, grace and magnanimity as characteristics he hopes individuals pursue when they think of honoring the victims of 9/11.

“I agree with the [Wayland police] chief and the representative,” said Farhat Husain, a Newton resident and longtime member of the ICB. “There are qualities we need to absorb,” she said.

For more from each speaker, see the captions with their photos.