Another round of criticisms is expected to trail the reported application for government grant submitted to the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. by the developers of the controversial Muslim house of worship near ground zero in lower Manhattan.
Already, the $5million grant money applied for has prompted reactions from New Yorkers, especially families and friends of victims of 9/11 whose spirit they feel insulted.
Retired FDNY Deputy Chief, Jim Riches who lost his 29 year old firefighter son in the terrorist attacks reportedly said that, "I think it's an insult on the 9/11 families. It's another smack on the face." According to him, "it's becoming more and more comical," and that "now we are going to have to pay for it."
Apart from seeking for the federal government funded grant, the developer, Sharif El-Gamal said his firm is also applying for non-profit status for the proposed 13 storey building expected to house multicultural and social center. In his view, the fund been sought for is to ensure that all residents of lower Manhattan benefit from social programs organised by the center including domestic-violence prevention, Arabic and other foreign language classes.
Furthermore, El-Gamal believes that "Park 51 remains committed to exploring all sources of revenue and funding to build the community center in lower Manhattan." and the fact remains that the proposed center is expected to "provide hundreds of contruction jobs" aside from other permanent jobs when opened.
On their part, officials at the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. would rather look at the economic benefits of projects seeking for funding in downtown, rather than comment on individual applications for grant.
John de Libero, LMDC's spokesman said $17 million has been allocated for community and cultural enhancement programs with applications from more than 265 nonprofits seeking for over $175 million.
The use of government grant for the controversial mosque is also criticized by Diane Horning, founder of WTC Families for a Proper Burial. To her, the turning down of the proposal to re-comb Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island for remains of 9/11 victims by the authorities amounts to neglect and rejection. "All I know is that we asked for assistance from the LMDC to give our dead decent and proper burials and were rejected."
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