NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 31, 2008

CONTACT:  Diane Gramley  1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355

Islamic Symbolism in Planned Flight 93 Memorial – Check the Facts

(Pittsburgh) – In 2005 architect Paul Murdoch’s design for the Flight 93 Memorial was chosen from over 1,000 entries.  The first public showing of that design sent red flags up for some viewing it.  The Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s  article announcing the winner  and a picture of the design sent red flags up for more, but where has the media been during the continued controversy asked the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group. 

“You can’t help but look at the September 2005 Post Gazette picture and see a star and crescent . . . just like the Turkish flag or other Islamic countries.  Why has there been virtually a media blackout on this and other Islamic features of the planned Flight 93 Memorial?  If I can check the facts, why can't they?” questioned Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.

Because of public outcry, within three months of the announced winner of the Flight 93 Memorial design contest, a redesign was announced by architect Paul Murdoch.   But the addition of a few more trees in the so-called redesign does nothing to change the Islamic symbolism which goes beyond the crescent and star shape. 

Examples of Islamic symbolism which Gramley checked using source documents:

1.)    44 translucent blocks – one for each passenger and crew member and, in separate locations, one for each terrorist

2.)    an individual facing away from the center of the broken Memorial Wall toward the middle of the large crescent of trees (many of which will be red maple to show a red crescent in the fall when the leaves turn) will be facing Mecca  .

Another example of Islamic symbolism is the 93 foot tall crescent-shaped ‘Tower of Voices’ and the surrounding crescents of trees at the proposed Memorial entry off Route 30.  This structure can be seen as a sundial which would determine the times for daily Islamic prayers.  Additionally, it has a near Mecca orientation. 

“We do not want a memorial to terrorists built – this memorial is supposed to commemorate the courage of the 40 passengers and crew who stopped the attack on our nation’s capitol.  There should be no hint of any Islamic symbolism in the Flight 93 Memorial.  I challenge members of the media to take the time, as I did, to open the source documents and check the facts and report what they find,” remarked Gramley.

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