By Katy Salmon

NAIROBI, Sep 11 (IPS) - Both Christian and Muslim clerics Wednesday spoke to the hundreds gathered in Nairobi's Consolata Shrine to commemorate the terrorist attacks on the United States one year ago. Diplomats stood alongside American students in the crowded church, its walls decorated with newspaper headlines from around the world, reporting on the attack. Kenyans feel a special empathy for Americans because they too have been the victims of terrorism. On Aug 7, 1998, a bomb blew up the American embassy in Nairobi, killing 214 people and injuring over 5,000. That terrorist attack was also believed to have been masterminded by Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network. "We have been especially grateful for the support and the solidarity that we have received from the people and the government of Kenya," said U.S. Ambassador Johnny Carson. "For no other country in the world understands and appreciates as well the profound feelings of loss grief and hurt that swept across America on Sep 11. "When Kenyans tell Americans that we understand your suffering, and that we are with you in this moment of adversity we know that they speak with a deep feeling of empathy and common grief," he said. Kenya has been a staunch supporter of the U.S.'s war on terror. "This occasion should remind mankind that terrorism knows no boundaries, knows no race and knows no religion," said Kenya's health minister, Sam Ongeri, another speaker at the memorial service. "All peace loving nations should come together and fight against the evil of terrorism in order to make the world a safer place now and in the future," he urged. Ongeri made a moving speech about his own experiences at the hand of terrorist bombers. "I remember that day being in my office in town. It was a very traumatic experience. And I can well imagine what type of experience the people in New York, the United States and the world as a whole went through when that black day of 11 September came about," he said. Ongeri's wife was in the Co-operative building, alongside the U.S embassy, when it exploded. Both buildings collapsed. "Every time that period comes by she feels very irritated. And I can well imagine what it feels like for those families and how any peace-loving individual in the world would feel like when such a moment dawns on us," he reflected. There were also musical reflections. Students from Nairobi's Precious Blood school sang a song specially written to commemorate Sep 11, 'God is our refuge and strength'. The composer, Paul Basler, is a Fulbright scholar from the United States who has visited Kenya several times. The hymn is a testament to the healing power of faith. One of those attending the service was Anne Gachui. Her nephew, Kaaria Mbaya, who worked in the World Trade Centre, was the one Kenyan who died in the attack. He was a computer analyst. "We continue to pray for peace, especially for my sister-in-law who is right now in New York. They were supposed to meet at Ground Zero and lay some flowers," said Gachui. Gachui said she did not feel anger towards her nephew's killers but just wants to support "whoever is against terrorism". "I really want to pray that God will continue to give all of us peace," she said. The U.S. ambassador said such deaths have not changed the U.S.'s political outlook. "We are struck by how utterly and how completely the terrorists have failed. The September 11 attackers sought to disrupt America's democracy and to undermine many of the principles and values that have made America a strong and a successful nation," he said. "They also sought to elevate the beliefs of a narrow band of misguided fanatics above those of the larger more tolerant world, to pit Muslim against Muslim, and to stir conflict between two of the great religions of the world, Islam and Christianity," Carson said. "They have failed. They have failed totally. In the days and months that have followed September 11, the resolve and the strength of the U.S. have grown, not weakened. Despite the challenge and the threats posed to our nation, we remain a tolerant and open society, committed to religious freedom, respect for human rights, gender equality, political pluralism and constitutional rule," he said. However, Kenyan commentators have not taken such a rosy view of the U.S.'s response to the events of September 11. The headline of Kenya's 'Daily Nation' newspaper editorial read: "Not the way to beat terror". The writer criticises the United States for not addressing the fundamental cause of the attack û the war between Israel and Palestine. "Until the critical issues are addressed, terrorism bred by the Middle East conflict will continue to stalk the world," the paper charges. It also condemns President George W. Bush's moves towards war with Iraq, saying: "It is not the role of any self-assigned global policeman to deal with (Iraqi leader) Saddam (Hussein). We cannot blindly support a campaign that seems to have no rhyme or reason. "Terrorism will not be defeated through terrorism," it warns.(END/IPS/IP/KS/MN/02)