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'''Feisal Abdul Rauf''' is a [[imam|Muslim religious leader]], activist and [[What's Right with Islam|author]] who is spearheading the proposal to construct an Islamic cultural center two blocks from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/imam-feisal-abdul-raufs-g_n_689691.html Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's Goodwill Tour Comes Amid 'Ground Zero Mosque' Furor]</ref> The media have dubbed the project the "[[Ground Zero Mosque]]" from its nearness to [[Ground Zero]] and because it will include a [[mosque]].  Feisal initially called it [[Cordoba House]], recalling a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, where Islam reached the height of its conquest against the West.  According to Islamic custom, the largest church of the area was turned into a mosque as a sign of victory for Muslims and a reminder of Islamic supremacy to the defeated population of the area.  The mosque was later named Park 51 when the meaning of Cordoba became known.

'''Feisal Abdul Rauf''' is a [[imam|Muslim religious leader]], activist and [[What's Right with Islam|author]] who is spearheading the proposal to construct an Islamic cultural center two blocks from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/imam-feisal-abdul-raufs-g_n_689691.html Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's Goodwill Tour Comes Amid 'Ground Zero Mosque' Furor]</ref> The media have dubbed the project the "[[Ground Zero Mosque]]" from its nearness to [[Ground Zero]] and because it will include a [[mosque]].  Feisal initially called it [[Cordoba House]], recalling a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, where Islam reached the height of its conquest against the West.  According to Islamic custom, the largest church of the area was turned into a mosque as a sign of victory for Muslims and a reminder of Islamic supremacy to the defeated population of the area.  The mosque was later named Park 51 when the meaning of Cordoba became known.

Feisal is an American citizen, born in 1948 in Kuwait. He presents himself as a moderate Muslim.<ref>http://www.cordobainitiative.org/</ref> In addition to his work as imam, he is also a slumlord of several apartment buildings, which have remained in disrepair despite his receipt of government funds to improve them.<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org">http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=2462</ref>

Feisal is an American citizen, born in 1948 in Kuwait. He presents himself as a moderate Muslim.<ref>http://www.cordobainitiative.org/</ref> In addition to his work as imam, he is also a slumlord of several apartment buildings, which have remained in disrepair despite his receipt of government funds to improve them.<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org">http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=2462</ref>

Feisal is founder of two Islamic organizations—The American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) in 1997,<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org"/> and [[The Cordoba Initiative]] in 2004.  The Cordoba Initiative presents itself as "a multi-national, multi-faith organization dedicated to improving Muslim-West relations,",<ref name="cordobainitiative.org">http://www.cordobainitiative.org/our-mission/</ref> but elsewhere on its webpage, it explains one of its projects, the Shariah Index Project, which aims to provide "tools for achieving these (Shariah) principles in practice."<ref name="cordobainitiative.org"/>  In addition, in 1910 he wrote in Arabic that he does not believe in interfaith dialogue.<ref name="brotherhoodunmasked.net">http://www.brotherhoodunmasked.net/individuals-the-muslim-brotherhood/feisal-abdul-rauf</ref>  He is also a permanent trustee of the Islamic Cultural Center (founded by his father) which has blamed the Jews for the 9/11 attack and made many other virulently anti-Semitic statements.<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org"/>

Feisal is founder of two Islamic organizations—The American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) in 1997,<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org"/> and [[The Cordoba Initiative]] in 2004.  The Cordoba Initiative presents itself as "a multi-national, multi-faith organization dedicated to improving Muslim-West relations,",<ref name="cordobainitiative.org">http://www.cordobainitiative.org/our-mission/</ref> but elsewhere on its webpage, it explains one of its projects, the Shariah Index Project, which aims to provide "tools for achieving these (Shariah) principles in practice."<ref name="cordobainitiative.org"/>  In addition, in 1910 he wrote in Arabic that he does not believe in interfaith dialogue.<ref name="brotherhoodunmasked.net">http://www.brotherhoodunmasked.net/individuals-the-muslim-brotherhood/feisal-abdul-rauf</ref>  He is also a permanent trustee of the Islamic Cultural Center (founded by his father) which has blamed the Jews for the 9/11 attack and made many other virulently anti-Semitic statements.<ref name="discoverthenetworks.org"/>

In 2013, several donors sued Feisal for 25 Million $ for embezzlement of Cordoba Initiative funds which they claim he spent on lavish lifestyle for himself & his wife.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/05/imam-feisal-abdul-rauf-embezzlement_n_2625660.html</ref>

In 2013, several donors sued Feisal for 25 Million $ for embezzlement of Cordoba Initiative funds which they claim he spent on lavish lifestyle for himself & his wife.<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/05/imam-feisal-abdul-rauf-embezzlement_n_2625660.html</ref>

Feisal has blamed America for harming Muslims,<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/21/1079789939987.html West must act to end jihad: Imam] - Frank Walker - March 21, 2004 - ''The Sun-Herald''</ref> but has also condemned [[Hamas]].<ref name=cordobaFaq>[http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions The Cordoba Initiative]</ref>

Feisal has blamed America for harming Muslims,<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/21/1079789939987.html West must act to end jihad: Imam] - Frank Walker - March 21, 2004 - ''The Sun-Herald''</ref> but has also condemned [[Hamas]].<ref name=cordobaFaq>[http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions The Cordoba Initiative]</ref>

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/feisal-abdul-rauf-the-man_n_689040.html Feisal Abdul Rauf: The Man Behind The 'Ground Zero Mosque'] - Huffington Post

*[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/20/feisal-abdul-rauf-the-man_n_689040.html Feisal Abdul Rauf: The Man Behind The 'Ground Zero Mosque'] - Huffington Post

*[http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=2462 Individual Profile on Faisal Abdul Rauf]

*[http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individualProfile.asp?indid=2462 Individual Profile on Faisal Abdul Rauf]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Religion]]

[[Category:Islam]]

[[Category:Islam]]