The fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is a reminder of the inhumanity of terrorist mass murderers whom the world must confront and the shared challenge we face as an international community to confront an ideology that promotes hate, destruction and death. The anniversary is an appropriate occasion for the international community to reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of all acts of terror. No faith condones the deliberate targeting and killing of innocent civilians, and no cause or grievance — no matter how legitimate — can ever justify it.

The victims of September 11 were citizens of more than 90 different countries and adherents of many faiths, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Terrorism affects all of us. It has brought tragedy, destruction, death and terrible grief to innocent people across the world, from Indonesia to Morocco, Spain, Jordan, England, India and Egypt. Since Osama Bin Laden declared war on America ten years ago, thousands of people of many nations, religions, races and beliefs have been murdered as a result of his instigation or incitement of acts of terror.

Terrorist attacks against the United States and our friends and allies began long before we acted to remove the Taliban regime, which was harbouring al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, or to remove Saddam Hussein’s brutal regime from power in Iraq. The terrorists, such as those who were responsible for September 11 and those who may be behind the most recent mass murder plot targeting airplanes in London, have long targeted innocent people. Their agenda is to impose a Taliban-like tyrannical regime on the many proud and sovereign nations of the Islamic world, and they have nothing but intolerance for all those who do not share their extremist beliefs — including fellow Muslims. Through the indiscriminate killing of innocent people, they have repeatedly shown their contempt for human life, regardless of race, ethnicity or religion. We saw the type of society they seek in the Taliban rule of Afghanistan, when little girls were not allowed to go to school, women were not allowed to work, music was banned, and cultural and historical icons were destroyed.

The fight against terrorism is a concerted fight for values and principles that are universal. Much more unites us as citizens of the world than divides us. Across all borders, we share a common humanity. While the colour of our skin, the language we speak, or the way we worship may be different, people everywhere aspire to speak their minds, participate in their society, worship freely, live in security, and pursue education, jobs and greater opportunities for their families.

All major religions, including Islam, Christianity and Judaism, share a commitment to social justice, compassion, concern for the poor, and love of family and community. All these faiths teach that life is precious, and that taking innocent life, including your own, is wrong.

The ideology of the violent extremists uses a perverted religiosity as cover to attempt to justify murder, terror, and violence. Yet such actions are always abhorrent and always wrong, and the international community, the interfaith community and decent men and women everywhere must speak out against those who advocate hate, violence and terrorism. We call on leaders of all faiths to work for mutual respect and understanding and to send a clear message: that killing oneself and murdering innocent people is always wrong.

As an international community, we must foster debate, encourage education and provide information, to help people learn and make decisions for themselves, because we

believe most people everywhere, of every faith, will choose freedom over tyranny and tolerance over intolerance.

Despite al-Qaeda’s repeated attempts to characterise the world as being in the midst of a clash of civilisations, the simple fact is that the international community - east and west, north and south - has come together in unprecedented ways to confront common threats and ease human suffering. America is doing its part, working in partnership with countries throughout the Islamic world to improve the lives of Muslims. America is the largest bilateral donor of aid to the Palestinian people. Americans were the largest providers of help to Muslims affected by the tsunami in Indonesia and the

earthquake in Pakistan. We provide funds for Muslim girls and boys to go to school, for Muslim women to learn English, for Muslim young people to get training for jobs. And in Afghanistan and Iraq, we are working in partnership with democratically elected Muslim leaders to provide freedom and security for Muslim populations that were brutally repressed under the Taliban and Saddam Hussein.

As we look back on September 11, 2001, we also look forward. We seek to work in a spirit of partnership with people and nations across the world to confront this ideology of hate and foster a climate of hope and opportunity. We are far from perfect, yet we believe the ideals of freedom and justice that guide us are right and true for people everywhere. We want to work in partnership with nations throughout the world in ways that will result in a more peaceful and prosperous world and a better life for people everywhere. And we renew our commitment to our founding conviction that all people are equal and equally deserving of justice, respect, opportunity and dignity.