Essay #2

On September 11, 2001, an unexpected terrorist attack happened in New York City. The terrorists hijacked American airplanes and intentionally crashed them into the World Trade Center. It was a terrible disaster that nobody expected would happen. It was found out that this massive terrorist attack was planned by Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda members. Approximately two thousand nine hundred and seventy four people died and another twenty four people were missing and announced dead. Ever since that incident, a new terrorist attack history has become known as 9/11. In my country, Malaysia, which is also a Muslim country, was affected by that disaster as well. As a Malaysian, we are now treated differently than before and differently than other students or immigrants.

Even though I am a Chinese-Malaysian, I’m still being looked and treated like a Muslim person because I was born and received education from a Muslim country. Before I planned to come over to the United States to further my education, I never thought it would be this difficult or considered the disadvantages of being a person who is from a Muslim country. The security in the United States has became stricter after the 9/11 attack. They have become much more alert than before. I remember when I was applying for my VISA to the United States, I was asked a lot of questions about my intentions and reasons to go over there. They treated me as if I were one of those terrorists who intended to harm their country. Of course, I understand that it is their job to maintain the safety of their country, and so I did what I was told without any complaints.

It is also more difficult now for the people who come from Muslim countries to travel to the United States. I remember on the first day I arrived in the United States after the 9/11 attack, I was being checked very carefully compared to other people. I was also being asked a lot of questions by customs before I could safely enter the country. Just a few months ago, my aunt who is also from Malaysia was trying to visit us, but she was not allowed to enter the country and had been told to leave because it was her third time visiting in one year. Therefore, she had no choice but to leave. This really shows how difficult it is now for people from Muslim countries to travel to the United States.

The economy in Malaysia has become worse after the disaster of 9/11 terrorist attack. The trade of gas between Malaysia and Iraq had been cut out because they are now being controlled by the United States due to its loss in the war. Because of this, the gas prices have gone up so high that people in Malaysia can no longer afford more than two vehicles anymore. The bus and train fares have also gone up making people avoid using them unless it is really necessary. This sudden drop of gas prices is really hurting our country. Even until now, our economy has not gotten any better. Because it is hard to find a decent job with decent salary, many people have moved to Australia, Europe or North America to seek a better life.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks were totally out of my expectation. Even thought the attack happened in the United States, many other countries have also been suffering from the consequences. Malaysia is one of the countries that is also suffering from this. The best solution for avoiding this to happen again is to avoid wars because wars can only lead to trouble and unnecessary death. Revenge is not going to help but make it worse. If only the 9/11 attacks hadn’t happened, there wouldn’t be so many problems and difficulties giving the people all over the world such a hard time.