Meaning: Jurgen Habermas, a prominent German philosopher, made this statement in response to the devastating terrorist attacks that took place on September 11, 2001. The attacks, orchestrated by the extremist group Al-Qaeda, involved the hijacking of commercial airplanes which were then flown into the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Another hijacked plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers. These coordinated attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and had a profound impact on global politics, security measures, and international relations.

Habermas' statement reflects the universal condemnation and disbelief that surrounded the events of September 11. By asserting that he cannot imagine any context that would justify or make the attacks understandable as a political act, Habermas highlights the sheer magnitude of the atrocity and the difficulty in rationalizing such a violent and senseless act. The deliberate targeting of innocent civilians and the destruction of iconic symbols of American economic and military power left a lasting scar on the collective consciousness of the world.

In making this statement, Habermas emphasizes the moral and ethical dimensions of the attacks, stressing that no political grievances or ideological motivations could ever justify the deliberate killing of thousands of civilians. The use of the term "monstrous crime" underscores the gravity of the attacks and the profound moral outrage they elicited. By categorizing the events as a monstrous crime, Habermas unequivocally rejects any attempt to frame the attacks as a legitimate or defensible form of political action.

Furthermore, Habermas' assertion that the attacks are "ununderstandable or comprehensible" as a political act acknowledges the complex interplay of factors that contributed to the perpetration of such violence. The deliberate targeting of civilians and the symbolism of the chosen targets underscore the deeply disturbing nature of the attacks, which defy conventional notions of political violence and conflict. Moreover, the sheer scale of the devastation and loss of life defies easy comprehension, further reinforcing the sense of moral outrage and disbelief that pervaded global reactions to the attacks.

Habermas' statement also serves as a reminder of the enduring significance of the events of September 11, 2001. The attacks not only reshaped the geopolitical landscape and led to profound shifts in international security policies but also sparked debates about the nature of terrorism, the ethics of military responses, and the enduring impact of trauma and loss. By unequivocally rejecting any attempt to rationalize or justify the attacks as a political act, Habermas challenges individuals and societies to confront the ethical and moral dimensions of terrorism and violence.

In conclusion, Jurgen Habermas' statement encapsulates the profound moral outrage and disbelief that accompanied the events of September 11, 2001. By emphasizing the incomprehensibility and lack of justification for the attacks as a political act, Habermas highlights the enduring significance of the atrocity and the imperative of confronting the ethical and moral dimensions of terrorism in the contemporary world.