25th Anniversary of the September 11 Attacks

That the Parliament marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, in which almost 3,000 people lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania; remembers with profound sadness all those who were killed, injured or bereaved by these atrocities; pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of first responders, emergency service personnel and ordinary citizens who acted in the face of unimaginable tragedy; recognises the enduring bonds of friendship between Scotland and the United States, and the shared commitment to democracy, freedom and tolerance which, it believes, emerged in response to the attacks; notes with concern reports regarding attempts to exclude New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, from official 25th anniversary commemorations as well as comments reportedly made by former Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, concerning Mayor Mamdani's attendance; believes that memorial events should be occasions for remembrance, unity and reflection rather than division or exclusion; condemns what it sees as attempts to use religious identity as grounds for preventing participation in acts of public remembrance; believes that collective remembrance of terrorism must reject prejudice, discrimination and Islamophobia in all their forms, while remaining steadfast in opposition to violent extremism, and hopes that events commemorating the anniversary will honour the memory of those who were lost, support survivors and families, and demonstrate the values of inclusion, mutual respect and solidarity that terrorism seeks to undermine.