Erol Hofmans

Today, the people of the world were issued a challenge. A challenge to their future as on this day of 11 September 2001, a group of few challenged the peace of all. The true nature of this attack upon humanity will be revealed and recalled for lifetimes.

What is to be done in the aftermath has become the responsibility of everyone, especially towards the youth of the world. They are in danger of being corrupted into vile creatures of hate rather than peacemakers of the future.

This statement, brief in nature but strong in purpose, is a call to all of the people of the world to stand strong and together against hatred, intolerance and violence. Evil has displayed its ugly face today and has stolen the innocence of generations. It has replaced that innocence with vengeance and more hatred. We as the people of the world must set the example for our younger counterparts. The example must be of tolerance and must be reinforced by our positive actions that speak and show that we will not accept and live in a global society of fear.

Those responsible for today's and past days of destruction must be held to account. In urgency and great sadness over the loss of human life, I ask you, the people of the world, to react in an appropriate, positive and acceptable manner to give tomorrow's leaders the chance and the role models necessary to become peacemakers. Let what has become known as the root of the problem become a root that grows beautiful flowers and not the evil weeds of society.

Today, both you and I lost role models, friends and perhaps countrymen. Tomorrow we may lose more. Let us all learn from the mistakes of yesterday, let us teach peace, and finally pull together as a unified community to counteract the great evil that has attacked our work for a peaceful society.