The Institute of Interfaith Dialog (IID) has organized Memorial Services for 9/11 Victims on Friday, September 09, 2011. The Memorial services took place on the ground of Mississippi New Capitol Building by getting special approval from Mississippi state senate concurrent resolution. The resolution allows Institute of Interfaith Dialog to plant a tree at the garden of Mississippi Capitol garden.
The Memorial Services included opening remark by Dr. Loye Ashton from Tugaloo College, he is also IID advisory Board Member; welcoming by Fatih Ozcan, Mississippi Representative; remarks by Mississippi State Senator John Horhn who put tremendous effort to pass the resolution by Mississippi lawmakers (legislators); keynote by former Mississippi Governor William F. Winter; interfaith prayer for 9/11 victims and world peace are given by Rabbi Marshal Klaven, Beth Israel Congregation; Bishop Joseph Latino, Catholic Diocese; Dr. Husniye Imamoglu, Jackson State University.
After the memorial services, Former Governor Winter planted and dedicated the tree along with other government dignitaries and religious leaders. "This tree planted at the State Capitol by the Institute of Interfaith Dialog in remembrance of those who died on September 11, 2011" was written on the plate that placed under the red oak tree by Gov. Winter.
As in many traditions, the planting of a tree is a sign of life and hope, and this will honor those who died during tragic incident happened September 11, 2001.
The Program sponsored by Fountain Magazine along with other supporter such as Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference (MRLC), Jackson Catholic Diocese, the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church, Beth Israel Congregation.
The main Sponsor, Fountain Magazine, believes that scientific thinking and religious-spiritual life are two aspects of reality and the ideal person and society exist within the union of both. In due appreciation of this conviction, The Fountain avoids extremism of any kind and does not focus on solely religious teachings nor solely materialist science, the first of which may lead to bigotry and the latter to unbelief.
