St. Louis Muslims remember 9-11

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - Members of the Muslim community in St. Louis gathered at the grounds of the Gateway Arch Sunday to remember the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks with prayer and service.

Worshippers recited the Islamic afternoon prayer before many participated in the United Way’s day of service doing community clean-up in East St. Louis.

The executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of St. Louis, Faizan Syed, helped organize the event.

He says ten years ago, members of his community were blamed for the attacks in Washington and New York even though they had nothing to do with them

"Ten years later we have come here and we have gathered under the shade of the Arch as a way of standing together in a united front, and a way of showing of our unity towards the people and the society that we live in," Syed said.

Other 9-11 ceremonies in the area included a traditional Mass at the Cathedral Basilica, and the display of three thousand flags on Art Hill to commemorate those killed.

Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio

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Public asked to comment on proposal to replace hundreds of trees near Gateway Arch

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - The National Park Service is bracing for the possible loss of more than 900 trees near the Gateway Arch. That’s what could happen if the emerald ash borer makes it to the St. Louis area.

The emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees since it was accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the early 1990s.

The small, bright green insect has already made its way to southeastern Missouri and northeastern Illinois.

Rob Lawrence, a forest entomologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, says it’s just a matter of time until the emerald ash borer spreads to St. Louis.

“It moves on its own slowly, but the problem is that emerald ash borer hitchhikes on firewood real easily so when folks are moving firewood around, it can jump several states in just a matter of a few days.”

The superintendent of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Tom Bradley, says the Park Service is seeking public input on a proposal for replacing the ash trees on the arch grounds.

"Ultimately we’d like to chose the species or cultivar that’s the replacement tree, and then decide how we’re going to take this on — replacing these 900 trees," Bradley said. "Are we going to do it all at once, or break it into zones? That’s just a big question."

The public has until August 24th to provide comments.

Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio
Photo: An adult emerald ash borer. Photo by David Cappert, Michigan State University.

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