American Muslims received cards, flowers, offers of service and protection, and other expressions of empathy and solidarity. For instance, hundreds of non-Muslim American women donned headscarves in public on designated days. This action was part of a campaign of solidarity to fight a new wave of hate crimes against Muslim women, some of whom feared that leaving their homes would make them targets for vigilantes. Likewise, in a southern California community, non-Muslim American men and women gathered to participate in Friday prayers with Muslims, kneeling and prostrating alongside their fellow Americans, although unfamiliar with the beliefs and rituals involved. By all accounts, Americans reached out to Muslims in ways never before witnessed, in numbers never imagined, trying to make amends for past wrongs while sending a message of hope, peace, and tolerance to Muslims in these dangerous and unpredictable times.

      On behalf of the federal government, President George W. Bush also made some unprecedented remarks in his televised addresses to the American people, repeatedly calling for tolerance of American Muslims and understanding of Islamic beliefs and values. The president also began working closely with a prominent American Muslim scholar, Sheikh Hamza Yusuf, who has since advised Bush on such matters as his characterization of Islam and American Muslims’ views toward the Bush administration’s current actions and foreign policies.
      Americans now must decide whether they can replicate their efforts for peace and tolerance on an international level. But they must do so quickly—before an American tragedy turns into an even larger global one.

Amber Nizami G’03 is a student in the College of Law and president of the college’s Islamic Law Society.

Assessing the Economy

The impact that this event has had on the economy is yet to be seen. We’re just seeing the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much uncertainty floating around. That in itself is extremely bad news for the market. We were already on course for a recession. Now the question is how deep will it be, how long will it take? Most consumers will stop or diminish their spending, and that will be a contributing factor in slowing the economy even further. We haven’t seen anything like this in the last 40 years.

—Fernando Diz, professor of finance, School of Management

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The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, a symbol of our economic might and financial prosperity, were a devastating blow to the heart of our financial community and the soul of our nation.
      The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) was one of many financial institutions with offices in the complex. Thankfully, our entire staff escaped safely, but sadly, several colleagues did not, including a former CBOE vice chairman.
      In the aftermath, the financial community has unified like never before. Regulators, exchanges, and firms, normally fierce rivals, have cast aside differences and competitive instincts and united as one, rallying behind the sole cause of restoring our markets. It has been an enormous undertaking, and we are succeeding.
      In the long run, American markets will endure this crisis. Our country has the world’s most vibrant, liquid markets and dedicated, skilled professionals. Driven by our renewed passion and unwavering commitment to succeed, our markets will remain the center of global finance.

—SU Trustee William J. Brodsky ’65, G’68,
chairman and CEO of the Chicago Board Options Exchange