Friday, the debate over the mosque near the World Trade Center worsened and New Yorkers don’t agree; current NYC Mayor Bloomberg spoke passionately about it, while former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that the mosque would be a "desecration," and that "decent" Muslims should not object to his opinion.
Bloomberg said: "Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11 and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans."
"We would betray our values and play into our enemies' hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else."
Friday on his morning radio show, Mayor Bloomberg spoke about the mosque project and where the money is coming from to build it:
"People say, well, you know, 'Do they have the money? Can they raise the money? Where does it come from?'”
"I don't know, and government shouldn't -- do you really want every time they pass the basket in your church and you throw a buck in, they run over and say, 'Okay, now, you know, where do you come from? Who are your parents? Where'd you get this money?'
"No! This is just not -- and I can't for the life of me -- a handful of people ought to be ashamed of themselves."
Tuesday, New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission denied landmark status to the 150-year-old building located two blocks away from ground zero; local developers want to convert the building into an Islamic community center and mosque.
The project has been described by its designer as an "Islamic community center" and that it “is not a mosque.” The center will “include a 500-seat performing arts center, a lecture hall, an exhibition space, a swimming pool, a gym, a culinary school, a restaurant and a prayer space for Muslims,” according to CNN.
Scroll down to see a slideshow of photos that tell the story of the World Trade Center mosque.
For more information on the building and the debate, click here.
See the video below for Bloomberg’s speech about the mosque.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please click on the subscribe button above to receive an email when new articles are published by this examiner.
Sources: Time Magazine and the Huffington Post
Chelsea Clinton Wedding photos
Black parents give birth to white baby and have created an internet buzz (photos, video link)
Slideshow of photos of devastating floods in Pakistan (video, photos)
Recent articles:
Unemployment is at 9.5% in July; numbers reveal 14.6 million Americans can’t find jobs
Wyclef Jean reveals five-point plan to revitalize Haiti for presidential campaign (photos)
HP CEO Mark Hurd resigns after sexual harassment claim, and violating BP conduct policy
Celebrations over prop 8 decision; appeal expected to reach Supreme Court by 2011 (photos, video) Ground zero mosque approved, and the Anti-Defamation League will no longer fight it
Wyclef Jean to run for President of Haiti; has more resources than running mates (photos)
Solar tsunami continues tonight August 4, 2010 and beautiful colors light up the sky (photos, video)
Senators disagree with Born in the USA law and push for illegal immigrant children to be illegal (video)
Obama celebrates his 49th birthday in Chicago without his family, but will attend fundraiser
Comments
Just because you have the freedom to do it doesn't mean you should do it. This makes the point well.
Pork Plant Opens Next to Mosque Next to Ground Zero
(great satire)
www.rancornews.com/nymosque.html
There are plenty of other mosques in NY and this one is only to show that Islam conquered America! Bloomberg is part of the Looney Tune Political Correct Crown and is full of himself! Hell yes, we want to know where the money comes from! Seems like New York City and all of America have Two Cowards leading them!
New York is a massive city. You think Muslims in Lower Manhattan should be forced to drive miles away to another borough because the only other "mosque" in Lower Manhattan is operating out of a small basement room and can't provide space for all the Muslims in the area?
Suppose your church was told it had to shut down because there's plenty of other churches in town?
You're the one who's a coward, and it's none of your business where the money comes from.
Thought this would be of interest to readers.
Since September 2001 I have maintained the "9/11 list-serv" which distributes daily e-mails containing newspaper articles and other relevant information re: 9/11 issues of interest to 9/11 families, 9/11 organizations and interested individuals.
If you would like to 'subscribe' to this free news service - send an e-mail to amkorotkin@aol.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject box.
Arnie
Bloomberg and BO could never be in the same room. Their egos are so large, there would be a catastrophic explosion.
IF THIS PERSON HAD A VOWEL AT THE END OF HIS LAST NAME THE CITY ,STATE & FEDERAL GOV. WOULD BE INVESTIGATING HIM!!!!!!
Anywhere but there!
How about building it on the ACTUAL Ground Zero, then. You know, where the World Trade Center actually stood. You did say anywhere but the current site after all.
The actual "Ground Zero Mosque" is the one that was destroyed on 9/11. It was on the 17th floor of the south tower. Bet you didn't know about that.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!