LONDON — On September 11, the world suddenly became much smaller. As news of the attack on New York spread to the rest of the globe, typical overseas attitudes toward America — ranging from good-natured mockery to outright hatred — were quickly replaced by equal parts fear and sympathy. While people sat stunned around TV sets and radios, governments instinctively sought to protect their own. Security measures immediately went into effect everywhere. Thousands were evacuated from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, the tallest buildings in the world. France deployed extra policemen, gendarmes, and soldiers — more than 5000 at last count — to guard its streets. London imposed a five-day ban on airplanes flying over the capital city.

Meanwhile, in an unprecedented outpouring of compassion toward the United States, people across the globe searched for ways to express their sorrow. European Union leaders and citizens held a three-minute moment of silence in tribute to those who died in the attack. In London, Queen Elizabeth joined 2600 mourners in a rendition of the US national anthem at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Radio stations did away with their regular rock and pop play lists and filled the air with more somber, pensive music. The pile of flowers in front of the American embassy continues to grow.

In Germany, flags were lowered to half-mast. In Ireland, schools, shops, restaurants, and pubs were closed for a day. In Russia, telephone companies offered free calls to hotline numbers in the US and Canada. Countries declared national days of mourning and called for donations to " Help the USA " funds.

But not everyone was sending out good vibes. Iraq applauded the attack as a " lesson for all tyrants and oppressors. " Some of those whose homelands have been on the receiving end of American bombs were glad to see the US get a taste of its own medicine. And we all saw images of Palestinians celebrating in the streets — a response that their own leaders declared " an aberration. " Newspaper columnists have come at the issue from every angle, but many argue that American policies have made the worst kinds of enemies and that this may not be the time to fight fire with fire. Leaders everywhere tend to agree. British prime minister Tony Blair has vowed to stand " shoulder to shoulder " with America, but he has stressed the importance of " a calm head and cool nerves. "

This call for restraint comes from a world that feels more than symbolic solidarity with America. When the first plane hit the World Trade Center, Bangladesh lost at least 50 of its citizens. The British fear that more than 200 of their own are dead. Germany says 700 of its nationals are unaccounted for. And unknown numbers of Chinese, Portuguese, Irish, Lebanese, Israelis, and Swedes are gone. So while America weeps, the rest of the world also sheds its own tears. And as authorities deliver ever-mounting death tolls, the world tries to get back to life as usual. But everyone is also keeping one eye on America, waiting to see what happens next.

For full coverage of the Tuesday of terror, click here.

Jumana Farouky, a former Phoenix staffer, works for Time magazine in London.

Issue Date: September 17, 2001