AMMWEC marks 25 years since 9/11 with rally against terror and antisemitism

AMMWEC marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by joining victims’ families and allies at a New York City rally outside DSA headquarters. The group said the anniversary should reinforce opposition to terrorism, antisemitism, political violence and extremist ideology.

Why it matters: - AMMWEC used the 25th anniversary of 9/11 to frame terrorism, antisemitism and political extremism as ongoing threats, not just historical ones. - The message linked remembrance of the nearly 3,000 people killed on Sept. 11, 2001, with current concerns about hate and violence in civic life. - The rally also highlighted Jewish community concerns about antisemitism in New York City.

What happened: - AMMWEC Founder and President Anila Ali joined 9/11 victims’ families, community activists and New Yorkers at the “Unite Against Terror” rally in downtown Manhattan. - The event took place outside Democratic Socialists of America headquarters near Essex Street and Straus Square in New York City. - End Jew Hatred and the Lawfare Project organized the rally. - Ali spoke at the gathering as president of a Muslim American organization. - Protesters directed criticism at the DSA and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The details: - Ali said the ideology behind the Sept. 11 attacks still threatens the country. - Ali said, “Understanding the radical ideology that Mayor Mamdani believes in... it’s the same ideology that attacked America on 9/11; 3,000 of our innocent people were murdered by the Al-Qaeda ideology.” - AMMWEC said Muslim Americans have a responsibility to reject terrorism, extremism and hatred. - Ali said, “Twenty-five years later, we remember every innocent life stolen on September 11, and we stand with the families who continue to carry that unimaginable loss.” - Ali said, “As Muslim Americans, we have a particular responsibility to speak clearly. Terrorism has no justification. Extremism has no place in our communities, and hatred must never be normalized in the United States.” - AMMWEC said the rally provided a place for victims’ families, Jewish community members, Muslim allies and other Americans to stand together against terrorism and hate. - AMMWEC said it honors firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, first responders, survivors, military families and other Americans affected by the attacks. - Ali said, “September 11 belongs to our national memory.” - Ali said the country must tell the truth about the attacks and prevent extremist ideology from gaining acceptance in America.

Between the lines: - The event connected the 9/11 anniversary to broader debates over antisemitism, Israel and the political normalization of extremist rhetoric. - The rally’s coalition signaled an effort to build cross-community opposition to hate, including among Muslim and Jewish participants. - AMMWEC positioned Muslim American voices as part of the response to terrorism and antisemitism, not separate from it. - Ali said extremism can emerge from religion, the far right, the far left or political movements, a broader warning that extends beyond any single ideology.

What's next: - AMMWEC said it will continue promoting interfaith partnerships, combating antisemitism and extremism, and advancing civic engagement and democratic values. - The organization said Americans should remain vigilant against attempts to repackage extremist ideology as political activism. - AMMWEC said its anniversary message is meant to carry forward into future public debate and community action.

The bottom line: - AMMWEC used 9/11 remembrance to press a simple message: reject terrorism, reject antisemitism, and refuse to normalize extremism in American public life.