Without controversy or protests, Muslims kneel in prayer every day at a quiet Pentagon chapel, only steps away from where a hijacked airliner struck the building on September 11, 2001.
The tranquil atmosphere at the Pentagon is a stark contrast to the furor surrounding a planned mosque near Ground Zero in New York, with opponents arguing the proposed Islamic center is an insult to the memory of the 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks.
“I’ve been here almost four years and I’ve never heard of any complaints,” US Army spokesman George Wright said of the regular Muslim services.
Goodness gracious me — I wonder what on earth the difference can be between some Islamic Pentagon employees worshipping as Muslims and a political activist imam wanting to spearhead the construction of a mosque right next to the Ground Zero site???
[roll eyes]
All the lack of conflict demonstrates is that Americans are just fine with citizens practicing their faith — not so fine with Islamic activists creating triumphalistic icons next to the results of Islamic acts of jihadic war. We’re real subtle that way.
And that is the point. This is the difference between real religion and in your face.
Is the “triumphalist” take on the New York project something that originates entirely from the opposition, non-Muslim camp or have the proponents stated that this is their purpose and intent?
And in the meanwhile, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church STILL has not received the necessary permits to rebuild — even though their church was completely destroyed by the falling towers, and they own the property on which it stood. Now they are saddened to hear that the Port Authority considers their request to be ‘dead and done’.
Equal treatment? I don’t think so.