Plan for Mosque near Ground Zero

[Hedley Lamarr]

This is one take on it

Controversy Rages in NYC over Planned Mosque Near Ground Zero

18/05/2010
By Mohammed Al Shafey




London, Asharq Al-Awsat- The project to build a mosque and Islamic cultural center close to Ground Zero in New York City has raised a sense of hope in a city whose Muslim population want to move on from the terrible 9/11 attacks.

Construction is yet to begin at the site where the mosque and Islamic center are set to be located, which is the former Burlington Coat Factory in Lower Manhattan, which was closed down in 2001 after the landing gear from one of the planes hit the building. This building is located approximately 200 meters from the former site of the World Trade Center, where 3,000 people died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The mosque will be part of the Cordoba House project, which will include a 13-storey Muslim community center that will include a theatre, a swimming pool, and sport facilities. However, the announcement of this project caused mixed feelings among local residents and families of 9/11 victims.

For his part, Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations [CAIR] told Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that "there is controversy and there are parties that have a political agenda and want to intimidate the American people against the mosque project which has not yet begun [construction], and this includes Republican Congressman Peter King, and his opinion should not be considered because his ideas are extreme."

Awad added that "the Muslims should reassure the American people by disseminating correct information about Islam, which is a religion of peace and love." He also said that "there are supporters and businessmen who are overseeing the [mosque] project, and they are also concerned with putting forward a culture of dialogue."

Awad confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat via telephone that "building this mosque is the solution not the problem, because Islam calls for rapprochement with other religions and...a culture of moderation."

Awad also told Asharq Al-Awsat that we must recognize that there is a fear of Islam in American society due to its lack of knowledge about Islam, and that any non-Muslim might share these fears because of what s/he sees in the media every day and the image that is portrayed of Islam and Muslims, which is an incorrect and offensive portrayal of Islam. Awad added that this will result in incorrect impressions being formed about Islam and Muslims, and that those who are unaware of true Islam are not to blame for this.

The project was put forward by the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement to the New York Community Board which approved the plans. These two organizations are working to improve understanding of Islam and increase interfaith dialogue.

Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, a New York Imam and head of the Cordoba Initiative told Asharq Al-Awsat that "there is no other project like this in the United States. It will be a centre for everybody and will not be limited to just Muslims."

According to Abdul Rauf, the construction of a mosque and a Muslim cultural center in the heart of Manhattan may contribute to achieving rapprochement between the Islamic world and the West. Abdul Rauf also said that he wants to "put forward the American-Islamic cultural identity which is built on tolerance and moderation."

Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf is the son of an Al-Azhar envoy, and he was born in Kuwait although he is of Egyptian origin, and lived in Kuwait, Malaysia, and England, before moving to the US in 1965. He has been the Imam of the Al-Farah Mosque in Manhattan for the past 27 years, and is known as a leader in the American Muslim community. He is the founder of both the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative, and he has written a number of books on Islam.

Imam Abdul Rauf, who also speaks Arabic fluently, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Islamic centre will be financed through contributions from Muslims in the US, as well as by donations from Arab and Islamic countries. He also acknowledged that the location of the mosque, which will be able to hold over 2,000 worshippers, is the subject of much controversy and criticism from families of 9/11 victims. Reports indicate that a number of 9/11 victims families have objected to the proposed mosque. Evelyn Pettigano, who lost a sister in the attacks told the Associated Press, "I'm not prejudiced...it's too close to the area where our family members were murdered." While the mother of a fire fighter who died on September 11 said, "I think it's despicable, and I think it's atrocious that anyone would even consider allowing them to build a mosque near the World Trade Center."

However Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf responded to such criticism by saying that "the project will bring life to the abandoned streets of New York and change the way Americans view Muslims."


This is another

Supporters of the project say the planned multi-storey Islamic centre would transform both the drab lower Manhattan street and the way Americans have interacted with Muslims since nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Boasting a mosque with sports facilities, a theatre and possibly day care, the centre would be open to all visitors to demonstrate that Muslims are part of their community, not some separate element.


But because of the mosques location, just around the corner from the gaping Ground Zero hole, the plan has upset some locals.

"The outrage continues," says website www.nomosquesatgroundzero.wordpress.com under a close-up of the collapsing Twin Towers.

The protest site says the centre will "cast a rude shadow over Ground Zero."

Others compared the idea to building a German cultural centre at Auschwitz.

"Spitting in the Face of Everyone Murdered on 9/11," writes Blitz, a self-described "anti-jihadist newspaper."

That level of anger is not uncommon among New Yorkers who blame Islam, rather than just Al-Qaeda or other militant groups, for 9/11 and the global confrontation with the United States.

"This is the wrong neighborhood to put the mosque in," Scott Rachelson, 59, said as he went to his office. Mr Rachelson, who works with people seeking compensation over 9/11 related damages, said his life changed forever the day that two hijacked airliners smashed into Manhattan.

"I was here. For me, and everyone else who was here, we have post-traumatic stress disorder," he said. "It feels like yesterday."

A woman living in the apartment building next to the proposed mosque said she couldn't accept the project.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me a little nervous," said Jennifer Wood, 36, as she took her young son for a walk. "It seems a little in the face, a little too much too soon. I don't know why it has to be here -- this is a big city."

[J70]

Perhaps I haven't been reading/listening to enough of the press that specializes in demagoguery and outrage, but I honestly haven't heard much about this in the couple of weeks since it first hit the news. Some 9/11 victims' relatives came out against it, but apart from that, nothing. I suppose if you hold all muslims responsible for 9/11 and Islamic terrorism, this would upset you all right. Otherwise, they're as entitled to buy space and build a cultural center/mosque as anyone else in NYC.

[stew]

Perhaps I haven't been reading/listening to enough of the press that specializes in demagoguery and outrage, but I honestly haven't heard much about this in the couple of weeks since it first hit the news. Some 9/11 victims' relatives came out against it, but apart from that, nothing. I suppose if you hold all muslims responsible for 9/11 and Islamic terrorism, this would upset you all right. Otherwise, they're as entitled to buy space and build a cultural center/mosque as anyone else in NYC.

Look what happened when OWC were outraged when it looked like a stadium might be built on the site of the H blocks, when talk of a monument oyu had some of the numpties on there saying they would take a bulldozer to the place and a lot more time has passed there than with the situation in New York.

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Finally, their choice of location is interesting to say the least.

[Hedley Lamarr]

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Ah, shooting from the hip again....now there's a surprise

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, IRAN, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, PAKISTAN, Syria, Turkey and UAE......they all have Christian churches.

[magickingdom]

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Ah, shooting from the hip again....now there's a surprise

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, IRAN, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, PAKISTAN, Syria, Turkey and UAE......they all have Christian churches.

who cares? why are you posting this? are you going to start a thread on the iranian presidents opining on gay rights? course not because that doesn't suit your agenda. most people are on this board for mildly intelligent discussion/entertainment not this. we know where you stand and 99% of posters dont give a fock. in 90 minutes the yankees play the red sox. get a life

[Hedley Lamarr]

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Ah, shooting from the hip again....now there's a surprise

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, IRAN, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, PAKISTAN, Syria, Turkey and UAE......they all have Christian churches.

who cares? why are you posting this? are you going to start a thread on the iranian presidents opining on gay rights? course not because that doesn't suit your agenda. most people are on this board for mildly intelligent discussion/entertainment not this. we know where you stand and 99% of posters dont give a fock. in 90 minutes the yankees play the red sox. get a life

Care to explain....who elected you as spokesperson for the board anyway?

If you are not interested then don't post.

[stephenite]

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Ah, shooting from the hip again....now there's a surprise

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, IRAN, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, PAKISTAN, Syria, Turkey and UAE......they all have Christian churches.

It's a fair point - how many Muslim countries you been to Stew?

[stew]

They have a right to build a mosque in New York or anywhere in the States, it is a pity this welcoming faith that this guy talks about wouldnt offer the same courtesy to Christian Churches in Muslim countries.

Ah, shooting from the hip again....now there's a surprise

Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, IRAN, IRAQ, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, PAKISTAN, Syria, Turkey and UAE......they all have Christian churches.

I am not shooting from the hip you clampett, I said they have the right to their Mosque, what more do you want? are you suggesting that Muslim countries are open to Christian Churches being built in their Country?

Surely offering a differing opinion should be welcome on this board and if you think I am shooting from the hip on this you have not got a clue.

[Hedley Lamarr]

I always look forward to your opinions, and I'm not talking about the right to build the mosque, even tough I have to admit that I tought there would have been more of an outrage at the idea.....I do not see the need for a 13 storey building.

There are Christian churches throughout the Middle east region as a whole,.....surprised me at first, big exception being Saudi Arabia where you can not even wear a crucifix.

I believe that there are more Jews in Iran.....yes Iran than anywhere else in the ME outside of Israel.

[J70]

I always look forward to your opinions, and I'm not talking about the right to build the mosque, even tough I have to admit that I tought there would have been more of an outrage at the idea.....I do not see the need for a 13 storey building.

There are Christian churches throughout the Middle east region as a whole,.....surprised me at first, big exception being Saudi Arabia where you can not even wear a crucifix.

I believe that there are more Jews in Iran.....yes Iran than anywhere else in the ME outside of Israel.

Why not? NYC is a big city. There are a lot of muslims. This is a 13 story cultural centre that will house a mosque, in addition to other things. Not very big as cultural centres go in NYC.

[SLIGONIAN]

"the Muslims should reassure the American people by disseminating correct information about Islam, which is a religion of peace and love"

This is one of the quotes above. Honestly now if it was about peace and love show us? All unconcious hate, wreckless anger in the name of there religion. I see no expression of love within it. Do people ever look in the mirror?

On topic, i agree with whoever said theres plenty of space in NYC, and cheaper sites im sure. If they want to spread peace and love let them build it somewhere a fair distance from ground zero as mark of respect. You know lead by actions not words and show compassion for the sensitivities of those who lost loved ones.

[Capt Pat]

Are the catholic Church going to open up a cultural centre across the street from the Shakill Road fish shop?? If not, why not?

[J70]

Well apparently it is controversial for some! According to a tea party leader, it is a monument to a "monkey god". Must be a piece of work, this Mark Williams. Doesn't appear to be too bothered by the ensuing controversy either. Probably not surprising I'm sure there are quite a few of the tea party element who agree.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_tea_party_leader_mark_williams_says_muslims_worship_a_monkey_god_blasts_ground_z.html

http://www.marktalk.com/blog/

[stew]

Well apparently it is controversial for some! According to a tea party leader, it is a monument to a "monkey god". Must be a piece of work, this Mark Williams. Doesn't appear to be too bothered by the ensuing controversy either. Probably not surprising I'm sure there are quite a few of the tea party element who agree.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_tea_party_leader_mark_williams_says_muslims_worship_a_monkey_god_blasts_ground_z.html

http://www.marktalk.com/blog/

To me the tae party, or many within this so called tea party are right wing bigots who mask their bigotry behind a thin veil of conservatism, some of them believe it is wrong to give severely dehydrated illegal aliens a mouthful of water if they caught entering the border, sort of flies in the face of their Christianity does it not?

I have more contempt for them that i do the Pelosi crowd, the uber Liberals that would sicken your shite and that takes some doing, call it what it is tea partiers, go buy yourselves a white outfit with a pointy hat and be done with it.

[Tyrones own]

call it what it is tea partiers Williams, go buy yourself a white outfit with a pointy hat and be done with it.

Very harsh there Stew.... that's precisely the type of rhetoric the left want to pedal on the way into November
and it obviously seems to be working