Difference between revisions of "Ground Zero Mosque"

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[[File:Ground Zero Mosque1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Proposed location of the Ground Zero Mosque (red target) on Park Place near Broadway, Manhatten Island, New York City.  A completed, multi-story mosque would have it facing in the direction of the site of the World Trade Center just three blocks south, where nearly three thousand died in the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] by Islamic fanatics.]]
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[[File:Ground Zero Mosque1.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Proposed location of Cordoba House (or "Park51") on Park Place, lower Manhattan, New York City.]]
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The '''Ground Zero Mosque''' (officially '''Park51''' and formerly the '''Cordoba House''') is a proposed [[Muslim]] [[Mosque|mosque]] under construction two blocks away from the former [[World Trade Center]], which [[Muslims]] destroyed on [[9/11]], killing almost 3000 people.<ref name="dailymail1">[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1303463/Obama-backtracks-Ground-Zero-mosque.html Obama backtracks on Ground Zero Mosque]]</ref> The plans are a collaboration between the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), a Muslim organization created in the aftermath of 9/11 to promote "integration and tolerance based on Islamic values of compassion."<ref name="aol">[http://www.aolnews.com/article/ground-zero-mosque-rebuttal-the-9-11-christian-center/19556400 Ground Zero Mosque Rebuttal]</ref>The vast majority of Americans oppose the plan as "insensitive" to the families of the 9/11 victims. <ref name="aol"></ref>
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The '''"Ground Zero Mosque"''' controversy concerns the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural center containing a [[mosque]], two or three blocks from the wreckage of the former [[World Trade Center]], which fanatic [[Islamic]] [[terrorist]]s destroyed on [[9/11]], killing almost 3,000 people.<ref name="dailymail1">[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1303463/Obama-backtracks-Ground-Zero-mosque.html Obama backtracks on Ground Zero Mosque]</ref> The plans for the building, originally dubbed "Cordoba House" (but changed to "Park51"), are a collaboration between the [[Cordoba Initiative]] and the [[American Society for Muslim Advancement]] (ASMA), a Muslim organization created in 1997<ref>[http://www.asmasociety.org/home/ ASMA]</ref> to promote "integration and tolerance based on Islamic values of compassion."<ref name="aol">[http://www.aolnews.com/article/ground-zero-mosque-rebuttal-the-9-11-christian-center/19556400 Ground Zero Mosque Rebuttal]</ref> The vast majority of Americans oppose the plan as "insensitive" to the families of the 9/11 victims.<ref>According to a [http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011799,00.html TIME magazine poll] from August 2010</ref>
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Although the backers of the construction project have no connection with al-Qaeda terrorists, opposition to the project generally equates letting it proceed with as supporting terrorism, even if only in an indirect way.
  
 
==Reaction of 9/11 Families==
 
==Reaction of 9/11 Families==
 
Several organizations that represent families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks have criticized the plan as "insensitive and uncaring" to those families and stated that the construction of a mosque so close to the site of the worst terrorist attack in American history is "deliberately provocative act that will precipitate more bloodshed in the name of [[Allah]]."
 
Several organizations that represent families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks have criticized the plan as "insensitive and uncaring" to those families and stated that the construction of a mosque so close to the site of the worst terrorist attack in American history is "deliberately provocative act that will precipitate more bloodshed in the name of [[Allah]]."
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 +
<!-- Need to spell out why having a mosque nearby shows insensitivity. -->
  
 
==Public Criticism==
 
==Public Criticism==
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[[Sarah Palin]] stated that "to build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks."<ref name="post">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081705860.html?hpid=topnews Washington Post]</ref><ref>[http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=411073718434 An Intolerable Mistake on Hallowed Ground]</ref> Former [[Speaker of the House of Representatives]] [[Newt Gingrich]] compared the mosque's construction to placing a [[swastika]] next to the [[Holocaust]] Museum in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="post"></ref> Bill Keller, a born-again [[Christian]] and preacher, has stated that because the mosque is a "a spit in the face of the people of [[New York City|New York]]," he plans to build a $1 million Christian center near the World Trade Center as well.<ref name="aol"></ref>
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[[Sarah Palin]] stated that "to build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks."<ref name="post">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/17/AR2010081705860.html?hpid=topnews Washington Post]</ref><ref>[https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=411073718434 An Intolerable Mistake on Hallowed Ground]</ref> Former [[Speaker of the House of Representatives]] [[Newt Gingrich]] compared the mosque's construction to placing a [[swastika]] next to the [[Holocaust]] Museum in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="post" /> Bill Keller, a born-again [[Christian]] and preacher, has stated that because the mosque is "a spit in the face of the people of [[New York City|New York]]," he plans to build a $1 million Christian center near the World Trade Center as well.<ref name="aol" />
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[[Dick Morris]] summed up the heart of the matter quite succinctly:
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{{cquote|'''The proposed mosque near to ground zero is not really a religious institution. It would be — as many mosques throughout the nation are — a terrorist recruitment, indoctrination and training center. ''It is not the worship of [[Islam]] that is the problem.'' It is the efforts to advance [[Sharia Law]] with its requirement of [[Jihad]] and violence that is the nub of the issue.<ref>[http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/ground-zero-mosque-the-real-issue/ Dick Morris; GROUND ZERO MOSQUE: THE REAL ISSUE]</ref>}}
  
 
==Obama's Support==
 
==Obama's Support==
 
Despite overwhelming public opposition to the mosque's construction, President Obama, at a White House dinner held to mark the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, stated that Muslims have
 
Despite overwhelming public opposition to the mosque's construction, President Obama, at a White House dinner held to mark the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, stated that Muslims have
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"the right to build a place of worship and a community center" near the site of the attacks. Through his comments, Obama, purposefully or not, aligned himself with Islamic terrorist associations like Hamas, which continually argue that Muslims "have to build everywhere"<ref name="dailymail1"></ref> in an attempt to draw more converts.  
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"the right to build a place of worship and a community center" near the site of the attacks. Through his comments, Obama, purposefully or not, aligned himself with Islamic terrorist associations like Hamas, which continually argue that Muslims "have to build everywhere"<ref name="dailymail1" /> in an attempt to draw more converts.  
  
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Faced with an intense popular backlash, Obama backtracked from his comments the next day and stated that "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there."<ref name="dailymail1"></ref> The White House, however, steadfastly maintains that he was not backing away from his comments, but rather clarifying them.
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Faced with an intense popular backlash, Obama backtracked from his comments the next day and stated that "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there."<ref name="dailymail1" /> The White House, however, steadfastly maintains that he was not backing away from his comments, but rather clarifying them.
 +
 
 +
Obama said:
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#"I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding."
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#"my intention was simply to let people know what I thought. Which was that in this country we treat everybody equally and in accordance with the law, regardless of race, regardless of religion." [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100814/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_ground_zero_mosque_obama]
  
 
=="Declaration of Victory"==
 
=="Declaration of Victory"==
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Many critics of the mosque's planned construction worry that the placement of a mosque so close to the site of an Islamic terrorist attack is tantamount to allowing a declaration of victory by al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations that supported the 9/11 attacks. This became more and more evident when government of New York City offered the Islamic group the option to build elsewhere in the city, at reduced cost, which the group quickly refused.<ref name="foxnews">[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/11/ny-governor-offer-state-property-mosque-built-farther-away-ground-zero/ Offer Rejected to Move Mosque Away From Ground Zero]</ref> Dr. Gamal Abd Al-Gawad, director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, Egypt, stated that the mosque's presence and location would "remind Americans of what Muslims did on 9/11" and that "it's not good for Muslims and Islam to be in the heart of such a controversy."<ref name="hnn">[http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/130299.html History News Network]</ref>
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Many critics of the mosque's planned construction worry that the placement of a mosque so close to the site of an Islamic terrorist attack is tantamount to allowing a declaration of victory by al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations that supported the 9/11 attacks. This became more and more evident when government of New York City offered the Islamic group the option to build elsewhere in the city, at reduced cost, which the group quickly refused.<ref name="foxnews">[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/11/ny-governor-offer-state-property-mosque-built-farther-away-ground-zero/ Offer Rejected to Move Mosque Away From Ground Zero]</ref> Also telling was the original proposed name of "Cordoba House," Córdoba being a former Roman city conquered by Muslims in 711 AD. Moorish troops destroyed much of the city and built numerous mosques. The city became a hugely important site in the early Islamic movement.<ref>http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/cordoba-history.htm</ref> In one concession to decency, the Park51 organizers agreed to drop the reference to Muslim conquest and rename the project.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/14/2010-07-14_new_name_doesnt_mosque_their_ire_tense_hearing_on_park51_near_ground_zero.html</ref>
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Dr. Gamal Abd Al-Gawad, director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, Egypt, stated that the mosque's presence and location would "remind Americans of what Muslims did on 9/11" and that "it's not good for Muslims and Islam to be in the heart of such a controversy."<ref name="hnn">[http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/130299.html History News Network]</ref>
  
 
==Faulty Comparison and Appeal to Judaism==
 
==Faulty Comparison and Appeal to Judaism==
Line 21: Line 35:
 
<blockquote>'''Radical Jews have never bombed the West side of Manhattan nor killed 3000 Americans in the name of Judaism''' (their emphasis).<ref name="jihadwatch">[http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/08/islamic-supremacist-mega-mosque-like-skokie-nazi-march-legal-but-hurtful.html Islamic Supremacist Mosque]</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>'''Radical Jews have never bombed the West side of Manhattan nor killed 3000 Americans in the name of Judaism''' (their emphasis).<ref name="jihadwatch">[http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/08/islamic-supremacist-mega-mosque-like-skokie-nazi-march-legal-but-hurtful.html Islamic Supremacist Mosque]</ref></blockquote>
  
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Other supporters compared the Muslim plans to construct a mosque to the demand by the [[Nazi Party|National Socialist Party of America]] (NSPA) to march through the village of Skokie, Illinois (home to many [[Holocaust]] survivors), in 1977. Despite the controversial nature of the march and overwhelming public opposition to it, the Supreme Court agreed with the ACLU's defense of the NSPA that their actions were covered by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. These supporters, however, fail to note several key differences between these two situations:<ref name="jihadwatch"></ref>
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Other supporters compared the Muslim plans to construct a mosque to the demand by the [[Nazi Party|National Socialist Party of America]] (NSPA) to march through the village of Skokie, Illinois (home to many [[Holocaust]] survivors), in 1977. Despite the controversial nature of the march and overwhelming public opposition to it, the Supreme Court agreed with the ACLU's defense of the NSPA that their actions were covered by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. These supporters, however, fail to note several key differences between these two situations:<ref name="jihadwatch" />
 
*The NSPA's planned march was nothing more than a "disgusting publicity stunt" and a ''temporary'' action (a small group march for the city's center). This stands in sharp contrast to the ''construction'' of a mosque, a far more permanent and imposing structure.
 
*The NSPA's planned march was nothing more than a "disgusting publicity stunt" and a ''temporary'' action (a small group march for the city's center). This stands in sharp contrast to the ''construction'' of a mosque, a far more permanent and imposing structure.
 
*Although the First Amendment does protect many examples of free speech, the Supreme Court decided in ''Roth v United States'' that standards could be applied to obscenity or otherwise ruthlessly inflammatory speech. Some could argue, as many of the 9/11 families have done, that the construction of a mosque near the former World Trade Center would constitute exactly this type of "speech."
 
*Although the First Amendment does protect many examples of free speech, the Supreme Court decided in ''Roth v United States'' that standards could be applied to obscenity or otherwise ruthlessly inflammatory speech. Some could argue, as many of the 9/11 families have done, that the construction of a mosque near the former World Trade Center would constitute exactly this type of "speech."
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 +
==Viewpoints of Islamic leaders==
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 +
Sarah Palin's Facebook page attributes to Imam [[Faisal Abdul Rauf]] the following quote:
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* "United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened."<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=411073718434 Sarah Palin's Facebook Page]</ref>
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 +
Faisal's website says that he was misquoted:
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* The ‘60 Minutes’ piece was completely incorrect as the statement was edited out of context. In the full interview, Imam Feisal describes the mistake the CIA made in the 1980s by financing Osama Bin Laden and strengthening the Taliban. This view is widely shared within the US and the US Government today, and Imam Feisal underlines the importance of not supporting “friends of convenience” who may in the future become our enemies.  This is common sense. [http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions Cordoba Initiative] - Frequently Asked Questions
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 +
==Statements by other religious leaders==
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 +
Bruce Grodner, bishop of the New York district of the [[Unification Church]], suggests addressing the issue with an [[interreligious]] perspective.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
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[[Category:New York]]
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[[Category:Islam]]

Latest revision as of 14:36, April 9, 2019

Proposed location of Cordoba House (or "Park51") on Park Place, lower Manhattan, New York City.

The "Ground Zero Mosque" controversy concerns the proposed construction of an Islamic cultural center containing a mosque, two or three blocks from the wreckage of the former World Trade Center, which fanatic Islamic terrorists destroyed on 9/11, killing almost 3,000 people.[1] The plans for the building, originally dubbed "Cordoba House" (but changed to "Park51"), are a collaboration between the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), a Muslim organization created in 1997[2] to promote "integration and tolerance based on Islamic values of compassion."[3] The vast majority of Americans oppose the plan as "insensitive" to the families of the 9/11 victims.[4]

Although the backers of the construction project have no connection with al-Qaeda terrorists, opposition to the project generally equates letting it proceed with as supporting terrorism, even if only in an indirect way.

Reaction of 9/11 Families

Several organizations that represent families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks have criticized the plan as "insensitive and uncaring" to those families and stated that the construction of a mosque so close to the site of the worst terrorist attack in American history is "deliberately provocative act that will precipitate more bloodshed in the name of Allah."


Public Criticism

Sarah Palin stated that "to build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks."[5][6] Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich compared the mosque's construction to placing a swastika next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.[5] Bill Keller, a born-again Christian and preacher, has stated that because the mosque is "a spit in the face of the people of New York," he plans to build a $1 million Christian center near the World Trade Center as well.[3]

Dick Morris summed up the heart of the matter quite succinctly:

“ The proposed mosque near to ground zero is not really a religious institution. It would be — as many mosques throughout the nation are — a terrorist recruitment, indoctrination and training center. It is not the worship of Islam that is the problem. It is the efforts to advance Sharia Law with its requirement of Jihad and violence that is the nub of the issue.[7] ”

Obama's Support

Despite overwhelming public opposition to the mosque's construction, President Obama, at a White House dinner held to mark the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, stated that Muslims have "the right to build a place of worship and a community center" near the site of the attacks. Through his comments, Obama, purposefully or not, aligned himself with Islamic terrorist associations like Hamas, which continually argue that Muslims "have to build everywhere"[1] in an attempt to draw more converts.

Faced with an intense popular backlash, Obama backtracked from his comments the next day and stated that "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there."[1] The White House, however, steadfastly maintains that he was not backing away from his comments, but rather clarifying them.

Obama said:

  1. "I was not commenting and I will not comment on the wisdom of making a decision to put a mosque there. I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding."
  2. "my intention was simply to let people know what I thought. Which was that in this country we treat everybody equally and in accordance with the law, regardless of race, regardless of religion." [1]

"Declaration of Victory"

Many critics of the mosque's planned construction worry that the placement of a mosque so close to the site of an Islamic terrorist attack is tantamount to allowing a declaration of victory by al-Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations that supported the 9/11 attacks. This became more and more evident when government of New York City offered the Islamic group the option to build elsewhere in the city, at reduced cost, which the group quickly refused.[8] Also telling was the original proposed name of "Cordoba House," Córdoba being a former Roman city conquered by Muslims in 711 AD. Moorish troops destroyed much of the city and built numerous mosques. The city became a hugely important site in the early Islamic movement.[9] In one concession to decency, the Park51 organizers agreed to drop the reference to Muslim conquest and rename the project.[10]


Dr. Gamal Abd Al-Gawad, director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, Egypt, stated that the mosque's presence and location would "remind Americans of what Muslims did on 9/11" and that "it's not good for Muslims and Islam to be in the heart of such a controversy."[11]

Faulty Comparison and Appeal to Judaism

Some supporters of the mosque, including the AMSA itself, have compared the plans for the mosque to plans by Jewish groups to construct a center (albeit one much smaller) within a few miles of the former World Trade Center. By comparing themselves to the Jewish people of New York and the world, the AMSA is hoping to draw similarities between themselves and Israel, a staunch American ally. This comparison, however, ignores the fact that neither Israel nor any Jewish group has committed an attack against Americans, either on American soil or abroad. This comparison has also drawn criticism from watchdog organizations like Jihadwatch.org, which faulted the comparison because

Radical Jews have never bombed the West side of Manhattan nor killed 3000 Americans in the name of Judaism (their emphasis).[12]

Other supporters compared the Muslim plans to construct a mosque to the demand by the National Socialist Party of America (NSPA) to march through the village of Skokie, Illinois (home to many Holocaust survivors), in 1977. Despite the controversial nature of the march and overwhelming public opposition to it, the Supreme Court agreed with the ACLU's defense of the NSPA that their actions were covered by the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. These supporters, however, fail to note several key differences between these two situations:[12]

  • The NSPA's planned march was nothing more than a "disgusting publicity stunt" and a temporary action (a small group march for the city's center). This stands in sharp contrast to the construction of a mosque, a far more permanent and imposing structure.
  • Although the First Amendment does protect many examples of free speech, the Supreme Court decided in Roth v United States that standards could be applied to obscenity or otherwise ruthlessly inflammatory speech. Some could argue, as many of the 9/11 families have done, that the construction of a mosque near the former World Trade Center would constitute exactly this type of "speech."

Viewpoints of Islamic leaders

Sarah Palin's Facebook page attributes to Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf the following quote:

  • "United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened."[13]

Faisal's website says that he was misquoted:

  • The ‘60 Minutes’ piece was completely incorrect as the statement was edited out of context. In the full interview, Imam Feisal describes the mistake the CIA made in the 1980s by financing Osama Bin Laden and strengthening the Taliban. This view is widely shared within the US and the US Government today, and Imam Feisal underlines the importance of not supporting “friends of convenience” who may in the future become our enemies. This is common sense. Cordoba Initiative - Frequently Asked Questions

Statements by other religious leaders

Bruce Grodner, bishop of the New York district of the Unification Church, suggests addressing the issue with an interreligious perspective.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Obama backtracks on Ground Zero Mosque
  2. ↑ ASMA
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ground Zero Mosque Rebuttal
  4. ↑ According to a TIME magazine poll from August 2010
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Washington Post
  6. ↑ An Intolerable Mistake on Hallowed Ground
  7. ↑ Dick Morris; GROUND ZERO MOSQUE: THE REAL ISSUE
  8. ↑ Offer Rejected to Move Mosque Away From Ground Zero
  9. ↑ http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/cordoba-history.htm
  10. ↑ http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/14/2010-07-14_new_name_doesnt_mosque_their_ire_tense_hearing_on_park51_near_ground_zero.html
  11. ↑ History News Network
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Islamic Supremacist Mosque
  13. ↑ Sarah Palin's Facebook Page
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