What started as a local zoning debate about an Islamic center near Ground Zero, and then morphed into a fight over religious expression, has now turned into an election-year political brawl.
Caught in the middle of the rancorous partisan fight are American Muslims, whose own voices have been drowned out by politicians on both the left and the right.
“In a fundamental sense, this is not a conversation about Muslims,”said Omid Safi, professor of Islamic studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “This is a conversation in which the Muslims are being used as the football with which to play the game of competing visions of America.”
Hmm – well for what its worth I wonder if it is as appropriate to build a mosque at Ground Zero as it is to build a Shinto Temple at Pearl Harbor?
If built, it risks becoming a center of pilgrimage.
Both buildings would be protected constitutionally. That of course does not address their “appropriateness.”
Also the proposed Muslim cultural center is not “at” Ground Zero, it is two blocks (nearly a quarter of a mile) away and the two are not visible from each other.
I’m not so sure this is a partisan issue, since surveys are showing something like 70% of Americans are opposed to this mosque in this place. I have read commentary by American Muslims who oppose this mosque in this place. The most important point about it is that it is not just “a mosque.” It is a project lead by people with radical ties, whose funding is not from New York Muslim residents but rather from abroad, possibly Saudi, whose imam has made statements highly offensive and painful to those who lost friends and loved ones on 9/11/01, and indeed to all of us. It is the nature of the project and its proponents which makes it unacceptable.
One interesting question: How is this mosque getting the go-ahead when a pre-existing Greek Orthodox Church near ground zero still cannot get the needed building permit NINE years later? [url=http://www.stnicholasnyc.com/]St. Nicholas Church[/url]
[blockquote]The most important point about it is that it is not just “a mosque.†It is a project lead by people with radical ties, whose funding is not from New York Muslim residents but rather from abroad, possibly Saudi, whose imam has made statements highly offensive and painful to those who lost friends and loved ones on 9/11/01, and indeed to all of us. [/blockquote] Statements like these are inflammatory, misleading and highly unhelpful. First, you’re right, it’s not just a mosque – it’s a cultural center with basketball courts and community meeting rooms and some worship space. It’s not a mosque in the traditional sense. Secondly, please provide evidence of “radical ties” or Saudi funding… there is none, and legally they have no obligation to disclose their financing (same as any church). Third, please quote these “highly offensive and painful” statements by the Imam; I have not heard anything of that nature.
The people building this project have been members of the New York community for forty years, and have worked to promote tolerance and understanding and have lived peacefully with their neighbors. They had nothing to do with 9/11. And the First Amendment gives them every right to build the religious center. Polls show that the civic leaders, including the mayor, and most residents of the neighborhood are in favor of the project proceeding. Let’s move on.
Poll indicating that 53% of Manhattan residents are in favor of the project: [url=http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/misc/nycpolls/c100728/Bloomberg_RV/Construction_of_Mosque_Near_World_Trade_Center_Site.htm]Marist Poll results[/url].
I am Orthodox, so my preferences between an Orthodox Church and a mosque are rather obvious. However, the answer to number 4 seems rather obvious.
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church is actually at Ground Zero, and the proposed islamic center is not.
That is to say, if it really were the “the mosque at Ground Zero” it would likely be on hold like everything else “at Ground Zero”. Ground Zero, as we all know, is subject to delays on everything, replanning everything, and replanning again. That property belonged to the Church and I wish they would just let them rebuild on their own property, but I doubt that will happen quickly. I think we all know that if St. Nicholas had decided that they had had enough waiting and bought the Burlington Coat Factory 2 blocks away they could have rebuilt already. I am glad that they have chosen to rather rebuild in their own proper sight even if it means delays. I have always hoped to be able to go to the rebuilt St. Nicholas Church at that site and serve one of our memorial services.
Fr Yousuf Rassam
Fr Yousuf
RE: “Statements like these are inflammatory, misleading and highly unhelpful.”
Hey Katherine — thanks for your helpful comment [although pointing out those things *is* somewhat “inflammatory” in a good way]. It’s important to cut through the clutter and recognize that the mosque is a political project and can be politically rejected as well.
Scott K, it’s difficult to find “mainstream” news reporting on this, since they are not doing investigative journalism into anything that would damage their “narrative.” However, you could start with this brief summary of reporting by the New York Post.[blockquote]According to the New York Post, Rauf is “a prominent member of a group that helped sponsor the pro-Palestinian activists†flotilla that initiated a deadly clash with Israeli forces in May.[/blockquote]This group, the Perdana Global Peace Organization, provided funding for the ships carrying IHH (Turkish Hamas-associated terrorists) who chanted, as they approached Gaza, “Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jew, the Army of Muhammad is coming.” (Khaybar was a victory over and then massacre of Jews in the Qur’an.) As to funding, [blockquote]The New York Post also reported that Rauf “told a London-based Arabic newspaper that he will turn to Muslim nations for funding†to pay for the $100 million mosque.
Some critics of the mosque are concerned that the money may come from foreign leaders or terror groups who seek the destruction of the United States.[/blockquote]As to 9/11, Rauf was quoted shortly after the attack as saying that the U.S. was partly to blame, and has not condemned jihadist statements coming from associates in Malaysia, where his organization maintains its offices, attending in recent years a conference of Jamaat-i-Islami there.
This is an imam who gives every indication of having a political, rather than strictly religious, agenda.
#7 Thank you, Father for clarifying my understanding concerning St. Nicholas. I, too long for day when you will be able to serve a memorial service in the rebuilt church.
Is there some reason why it should not become an intensely partisan political issue? Larry
9, it is my understanding that Islam does not distinguish between the secular and the religious. An Islamic state by definition is theocratic is it not?
It seems some of the fall out from this mosque business is that the delays surrounding the Church which really is at Ground Zero have received wider notice, and perhaps it shall hasten the rebuilding of the Church. Good Lord, grant!