Programmes and Events

September 11, 2006: Tribute to Victims of 2001

On September 11th, 2006, members of the diplomatic corps, religious authorities and political leaders joined the U.S. Ambassador in Togo, Mr. David B. Dunn, in a ceremony of remembrance of victims of the 9-11 attacks. The Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, Mr. J.A. Diffily and the Director of the American Cultural Center, Mrs. Mary Daschbach as well as other American officers participated in the ceremony. 

The Ambassador began the brief ceremony by citing the names of the countries which lost citizens during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center five years ago. Ambassador Dunn reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to confront extremism. “Across all borders, we share a common humanity.  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 share a commitment to social justice, compassion, concern for the poor, and love of family and community.  All of these faiths teach that life is precious and that taking innocent life, including your own, is wrong.  Violent extremists pervert religion in an attempt to justify murder.  But we know that people of every faith will choose freedom over tyranny and tolerance over intolerance”.

Following the speech of the ambassador, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lomé, the representative of the Presbyterian Church, and a representative of the Muslim Community each offered a prayer for world peace in remembrance of the victims.