Twenty-five years have passed since the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, yet the pain and the lessons remain as urgent as ever. We must never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost when radical Islamic terrorists turned passenger planes into weapons of mass destruction, striking the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This anniversary serves as a solemn reminder that complacency invites catastrophe.
The brave first responders and ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage that day deserve our eternal gratitude. Their sacrifice demands that we remain vigilant against the same ideology of hate that fueled the attacks. Radical Islam has not disappeared; it has adapted and infiltrated our society in new and dangerous ways.
Today, we face a growing threat from Sharia law creeping across our borders. In cities and towns across the nation, demands for Sharia-compliant practices, parallel legal systems, and the suppression of free speech in the name of religious sensitivity are rising. This is not peaceful coexistence—it is a direct challenge to our Constitution, our values, and our way of life. From no-go zones in Europe to attempts at Sharia courts and honor-based violence here at home, the warning signs are clear.
We owe it to the victims of 9/11 and to future generations to reject any form of Sharia that undermines American sovereignty. Never forget means staying alert, enforcing our laws without apology, and refusing to allow radical ideologies to gain footholds under the guise of tolerance. Let this 25th anniversary renew our commitment to vigilance, strength, and the defense of freedom against all threats—foreign and domestic.
