The Muslim-American community is growing, and with growth comes the need for community centers, mosques, and a public presence. Every state in the United States contains at least one mosque (according to the multicultural marketing agency Allied Media there are 1209 mosques in the US). However, the plan to construct a large community center in Manhattan has started a heated debate about the “wisdom” of building a mosque two blocks from where the World Trade Center once stood. Some of those who are protesting the plan claim that they are not against American Muslims’ rights to worship, they are merely opposed to the erection of a mosque near Ground Zero. Hence the obvious questions: Why can’t Muslims build a mosque there? Where can they build mosques? And why do Muslims really want to build a mosque there?
While some of those opposed argue that building an Islamic center near Ground Zero is disrespectful to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, many are simply opposed to any public presence of Islam in America.
Representatives of American Muslims in Manhattan contend that they need the center because the current prayer hall is too small. They further add that blocking American Muslims from building a place of worship on private land and in accordance with city ordinances would (1) stoke fear domestically and further marginalize American Muslims and (2) give credence internationally to extremists’ claim that America is at war with Islam.
Given these positions, the third position (that the center be built elsewhere) obviously makes no sense — Muslims have mosques elsewhere. And where exactly is “elsewhere?” Ten blocks away? Outside Manhattan? Outside New York City?
To suggest that a mosque should be built away from Ground Zero implies that Islam (all forms and expressions of it) is guilty of killing innocent people in the World Trade Center. If we opposed the building of a religious center near areas (or cities) where innocent people were killed, then there would be no place on earth to build a synagogue, a church, or a mosque — throughout the history of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, self-described Jews, Christians, and Muslims (and in many cases, official representatives of these faiths) have committed, encouraged, and/or catalyzed acts that resulted in the killing of thousands of innocent people.
There is, without a doubt, an undercurrent of hate and total rejection of Islam in the West. There are many (beyond the usual fringe elements) who are opposed to building mosques anywhere. Indeed, there are organized groups around the world whose aim is to ban any public manifestation of Islam in the West. Europe’s ban on minarets is one example; the bombing and vandalizing of mosques in numerous American cities is another.
Just recently, a self-proclaimed Christian group in Florida applied for a permit to inaugurate the so-called “International Burn A Koran Day,” which would coincide with the remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy. Should the trend persists, 9/11 could turn into “International Bomb A Mosque Day” event.
Sadly, 9/11 is being used as a pretext to demonize Islam and Muslims. And that need to be addressed. At the same time, Muslims should build their mosque if they need it for the community, not use its proximity to Ground Zero as a context for interfaith dialogue. I am of the view that using tragedies such as 9/11 and the loss of civilian lives anywhere for political or religious propaganda purposes is suspect.
And that applies to both sides.
Comments
Ahmed writes: "And why do Muslims really want to build a mosque there?" But then fails to answer his own question.
Let me phrase it in a way that goews more to the heart of the issue, and see if he can provide a valid answer.
Given the historic practice of Muslim invaders of building Mosques on the captured hallowed ground of their victims; given that this particular Mosque is named after the Cordoba Mosque in Spain which was intended as a new central headquarters for Islamic conquest of Europe; considering that the advertized goals of the Cordoba House is to build bridges, foster healing and reconciliation between Islam and America - AND that 70% of the US population is adamantly opposed to its construction at THIS single sensitive location for reasons that are immediately clear to anyone but a moron or a scoundrel -- I ask you sir -- Why do Muslims really want to build a Mosque there?
If the chosen site for this Mosque follows the Muslim "Victory Mosque" model; then WE KNOW why they want it there.
If its purpose is as we have been told, to engender positive relations with Americans, it should be located in such a way so that its placement alone, facilitates that mission.
Every day this debate goes on; when all parties know full well it could be instantly stopped by those proposing the Ground Zero location; makes it ever more difficult to believe that the site was specifically chosen for any benevolent purpose. Rather it is becoming incontrovertably clear, that its location exposes the nefarious intent by its promoters to foment needless debate and exacerbate already high levels of hostility.
THIS cannot be identified as the actions of those whose actions are governed by the religious dictates one expects from a "religion of peace."
the Cordoba Mosque is now the Cordoba CHURCH...so, if it was a "victory mosque" is the present church a "victory church"?
neither was a victory anything...the Moors conquered Spain...a church was empty, some Moor BOUGHT IT and made it into a mosque...stands to reason that an empty place of worship be re-used as a new place of worship...it happens every day in America...Mormons get a new church and sell their empty one to protestants or baptists or even muslims...get this straight, the cordoba mosque was bought and paid for, it wasn't a "victory" mosque and it isn't now a "victory" church!
As for stopping the mosque, remember you are setting presidence...whatever can be done to the mosque can then be done to any church or any other place of worship...I really don't care either way...I don't believe in religion anyway...more deaths have come in the name of religion that any other reason in history.
As for reason for wanting a mosque there? Same reason baptists want a church in that area, same reason catholics want a church in that area: because that's where the worshipers are!
So Walrus -- your name is Ahmad and you wrote this article? My questions are directed at him.
As for religion being responsible for more deaths than anything else; I believe that both Ahmad and I would dispute that. Considering that in the 20th century alone 53 million deaths were attributed directly to official government action, religion has a very long way to go to even touch such numbers.
you and Ahmed aren't the only ones here...if you wanted a direct answer from him and no one else E-MAIL HIM!
as for millions dying from government action, it's called ETHNIC CLEANSING and those governments did so in the name of their religious beliefs (as did the muslims and christian crusaders)...read some world history to find that we were willing to go nuclear on japanese, but not on germans because of color AND because of christianity in common!
Walrus: Yeah, Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin, Kruschev, Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Milosovich were all such devoutly pious men.
You are particularly full of s**t today.
No fun trolling Robert Moon?
Still waiting for Ahmed to answer the question HE posed but didn't answer.
All of America wants to know why Muslims want a Mosque at that site. In fact, we would like to know which of the peaceful Muslims inhabiting NYC are so emphatic about this Mosque at this site that they are willing to promote such unrest to have it.
"Walrus: Yeah, Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin, Kruschev, Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, Milosovich were all such devoutly pious men."
Hitler and Mussolini were (at least in their minds they were)...the rest were strongly anti-religion and that is inclusive in "religious BELIEFS" (beliefs about the subject of religion)
So walrus: Based on YOUR logic; any genocide commited by any maniac who just so happens to be the head of any state apparatus automatically qualifies as a "religiously motivated killing."
If they have avowed religious faith at any point to any degree, their crimes are magically clensed of any political motives, no matter how obvious. If they are demonstrably anti-religious; their crimes are STILL religiously motivated becasue ANY belief about religion (including its total rejection) makes one a religious zealot.
I guess that qualifies you as well.
You should really put more effort into developing some deductive reasoning and logic skills before you continue making yourself look foolish.
Or is self-immolation YOUR particular religious ritual?
It is funny that I haven't heard anyone talk about the demographics of the area. Is there a significant population of Muslims within walking distance of the proposed site? Is this site, built as so many places are, to be close to the people it is to serve? Just wondering? - lg
THAT was the first question that should have been asked in all this.
yes. 4 blocks from ground zero, there's a mosque that's been there 40 years struggling to serve it's expanding population.
Oops.
Since the author deleted my comments, I guess he is demonstrating what we can expect of the Muslim devotion to a free marketplace of ideas.
This is why Leftists and Muslims are such excellent bedfellows. They both enjoy the benefits of exploiting American tolerance, compassion, ideals and wealth to satisfy their America-dooming ends.
I asked you to simply ANSWER YOUR OWN QUESTION, and that is too much.
If Islam is going to survive in America it will be on American terms. The first and most sacred of which is free expression. You have just proven that you can't even muster the chops for open, uncensored dialogue.
Why should we even bother to consider anything else you say or do?
stan, i can read your comments they are not deleted, dude! or do you have more than the dozen ones we see? besides, i think he answered your question, read the last paragraph again.
I couldn't have put it better myself. The author's nuanced position make the issue crystal clear: he is on the side of freedom but he is also against using the these tragedies. Blaming all Muslims for 9/11 is like calling all Christians murderers for what early Christians have done to natives of this continent.
well said, very good article. conservative talking heads are giving us a bad name. The center will be built because it is within Muslims rights to do so. and then these critics will only succeed in tarnishing the reputation of the country and a tolerant and pluralistic one.
It's offensive to suggest that Americans need to be “sensitive” to 9/11 victims when building a mosque. Muslim Americans should not be expected to endlessly apologize for a few crazies out of the billion or so worldwide. Equating the Muslim religion with terrorism is bigotry. Period.
BTW, our military is over there supposedly helping Muslims. It makes no sense to think Muslim AMERICANS are our enemy.
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