Chairman's 9/11 anniversary message

Today, nine years on from the September 11th terrorist attacks in America, we remember what happened on that day. It was a day of horror and darkness. We will never forget.

Today we pray and stand united in honour of the memory of the innocent victims who lost their lives. We remember the families who lost their loved ones. They still struggle with their unbearable loss and no words can truly comfort them but time may help to heal the pain. I pay tribute to their courage and resilience.

On this special occasion of Eid al-Fitr celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. May God give them strength and peace. I know that these are also the sentiments of most Muslims across the world.

The attacks were also attacks on basic democratic values and the civilised world. We must challenge extremism on all sides through dialogue and strengthen understanding between the Muslim world and the West. We must not waver or falter in our fight against this evil.

Ribal Al-Assad

Chairman of Iman