Flight 93 Memorial Disgrace

Those brave souls on United flight 93 who fought the terrorist highjackers over Pennsylvania on 911 & died when the plane crashed, would be appalled to know that the winning memorial design at the site will include a prominent red crescent. The memorial is titled "Crescent of Embrace."


The red crescent is endemic to Islam. Some Islamic countries include it in their flag. And Arab countries have the Red Crescent - the Red Cross of the Middle East. The red crescent is found on mosques & other buildings. It is the symbol of ritual and religious life for Muslims. Fouad El Bayly of Somerset, leader of the Islamic Center of Johnstown, has said Muslims immediately would recognize the symbolism in the design. "The crescent is a symbol of Islamic faith", El Bayly said.

Paul Murdoch is the winning architect. "This is not about any religion per se," Murdoch said in a telephone interview with the Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown. "It's a spiritual space, and a sacred place, but it's open to anyone." The word "crescent," he said, was used as a generic architectural term for a curved line.

A few points. The crescent may be an architectual term, but that does not mean it has to be incorporated into the memorial's title. Murdoch is being disingenuous & dismissive of those who are appalled about the crescent reference. We hear no complaints from the ACLU types. Had Murdoch used a cross or Star of David, would they have maintained their silence? We doubt it. What exactly is the meaning of the title "Crescent of Embrace"? Embrace what - Islam?

This travesty is not unlike the shananigans with the 911 memorial at Ground Zero in New York where an "International Freedom Center" plans to use it as a mutli-cultural center for America bashing (see early post here), while placing the actual 911 memorial in a small area below ground.

Something is very wrong with this picture. Brave Americans who died fighting terrorists are mocked by the very symbol of the terrorists who caused their death. The 3,000 who were killed in New York are mocked by a "Freedom Center" which puts the 911 memorial in the backyard to its huge complex & plans events whereby the focus is not on 911, but on Abu Gharaib, Guantanamo or any other place, whereby anti-American forces in the world can rant against us in seminars & displays. It is sickening.

The National Park Service has the final decision on whether this design will be used. Call the Superintendent of the Flight 93 National Memorial at (814) 443-4557. Or fax (814) 443-2180.