Anniversary of attacks soured by division and demonstrations

IN the past, the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks was marked by sombre reflection and a call to unity, devoid of politics. No more.

This year’s commemoration of the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, promises to be the most political and contentious ever, because of a proposed Islamic centre and mosque near Ground Zero, and a Florida pastor’s plan to burn the Koran – and the debate those issues have engendered over religious freedom.

As in other years, official ceremonies are planned at the three locations the terrorists struck. President Barack Obama will attend a commemoration at the Pentagon, while vice-president Joe Biden will attend the ceremony at Ground Zero. First lady Michelle Obama and former first lady Laura Bush will travel to Shanksville to observe the anniversary there.