Dr. Naseer Humayun was working his first day at a hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. when the planes hit the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
He was making rounds in the hospital’s ICU when he glanced up at the television and saw on tower in flames. Then, another plane hit the second tower.
“I was absolutely stunned,” said Humayun, a Dalton physician. “Everything slowed down and I prayed in my heart that people would get out.”
Since that day, Humayun has tried to somehow mark that date, when he said terrorists also hijacked Islam.
This year, as he has previously, Humayun will participate in a "Muslims for Life" blood drive, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Bait-ul-A'ta Mosque, 1800 Willow Trail Parkway in Norcross. The event is sponsored by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Georgia, in conjunction with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. Muslims for Life is part of a national campaign.
The blood drive is being held in memory of the victims of Sept. 11.
There will also be an interfaith seminar at 4 p.m. on terrorism in Islam and compassion for God’s creation.
In other related events:
- The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will hold a "9-11 Remembrance Ceremony" at 9 a.m. Friday at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial , located in the front parking lot of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Dr. in Lawrenceville.
Activities include presentation of colors by a combined public safety Honor Guard, ceremonial wreath laying and keynote speech by an active-duty member of the United States Marine Corps.
- First responders will be honored by the September 11th First Responders Appreciation Program, at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road.
This year’s program will honor slain Fulton County Police Officer Terence Avery Green who was shot and killed in the as he responded to reports of shots fired inside a house at a subdivision in south Fulton County.
- The Archdiocese of Atlanta will hold its first blue mass for all public safety officials and first responders in the archdiocese.
The mass will be performed by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road N.E.
Sept. 11 is the anniversary of a series of terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, in which roughly 3,000 people, including hundreds of first responders, died.
The mass will include a blessing of the badges and a reception will follow.
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