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Sep 11, 2010

"Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity." --Buddha

9/11 Day of Service

September 11 is a loaded day. It marks the ninth anniversary of the World Trade Center bombings in New York City, the 103rd birthday of Gandhi's concept of Satyagraha ("clinging to truth" in Sanskrit), as well as 117 years after Swami Vivekenanda's stunning speech on interfaith dialogue at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. This year, 9/11 also coincides with Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday that marks the conclusion of Ramadan. Today there will be prayers, vigils, moments of silence. There will be large rallies and intimate family memorials. And there will be service. For many, 9/11 has become a day to volunteer, and organizers of social media have spearheaded a new website - 911dayofservice.org - to facilitate the process. Having engaged 300,000 people from 165 countries during last year's 9/11, the website mobilizes and reflects the growing movement of volunteerism.