Plans for a new mosque near Ground Zero have raised a storm of protest in the United States. The mosque is controversial because the site is very close to the place where Islamic terrorists destroyed the Twin Towers on 11 September 2001. An increasing number of prominent Republicans are using the mosque as a weapon against President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party.
"On September 11th they declared war against us and to celebrate that murder of three thousand Americans they want to build a monstrous, thirteen story mosque on Ground Zero".
There have been sharp attacks against plans for a 100-million dollar Islamic community centre and mosque just a stone's throw from Ground Zero. Republicans are using the issue to score points against their rivals and it has given them a lift in the latest opinion polls.
"The political class says nothing, the politicians are doing nothing to stop it. But we Americans will be heard," says the voiceover in a television advert for a Republican pressure group; in between images of Osama bin Laden, the burning World Trade Center and terrorists spraying bullets from a machine gun, a photograph of President Barack Obama slides by.
The major US TV networks have refused to air the advert; the portrayal of all Muslims as the enemy has been deemed offensive. However, prominent Republicans such as Sarah Palin continued to hammer away at the controversy in similar terms.
Provocation
Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House of Representatives and a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2012, called it "a calculated provocation. They know exactly what they're doing".
"This is a political act for the purpose of saying worldwide: 'we're winning, the Americans are losing and they are too dumb to even know they're in a war".
Opinion polls say that a significant majority of the US public is opposed to the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero. There are very few Democrats that support the community centre and mosque. Republicans are exploiting the issue in the election battle for the governorship of New York. Republicans have demanded that the Democratic candidate - currently the favourite to win in November - make his standpoint on the issue known. But Andrew Cuomo, along with Democrats fighting marginal seats, has refused to say a word.
Mayor Bloomberg
One of the very few prominent politicians brave enough to come out in favour of the mosque is New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Last year, New Yorkers celebrated tolerance and freedom of religion in the city founded by the Dutch 400 years ago.
"Everything the United States stands for and New York stands for is tolerance and openness".
Why build it here, at Ground Zero, asked a leading Jewish organisation, which specialises in religious tolerance. The Anti-Defamation League finally announced its opposition to the mosque at Ground Zero: Director Abraham Foxman said, "Build it five blocks up the road".
Profit
New York City already has about 100 mosques; it is more than likely that the protests stem from the location, not the mosque itself. However, the hue and cry is music to Republican ears; they hope to profit from the controversy and win a majority in Congress in November's mid-term elections.
Lead photo by Mirandas on Flickr.com: all re-use subject to this Creative Commons Licence
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Put a viel on that? I don't think so. Cheers.
This whole issue has been manufactured by demagogues. It's not even a mosque. See, for example: http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/08/16/100816taco_talk_hertzbe...
I do have concerns about this project being built so close to ground zero.
Moslems have a history of building on top of, or near sensitive sites. If my memory serves me correctly,
was there not a Mosque built atop a shrine devoted to Indra- the most revered deity in the Indian
Panthenon- this caused the death of was it 1,ooo people? Could be wrong on the exact number of deaths,
but it was substantial. How about building Churches and Synogoges (Spelling?) in Islamic Countries? theres tolerance for you. There is a Political component to this so-called Religion and the practice of lieing and deceit is acceptable in foriegn Countries ( they have a term for it) the ends justify the means. They use the Host countries tolerance and Laws against those who welcomed and tolerated them in the first place i.e. Christian Lebanon. Thier ability to exploit Western Weaknesses- deteriorating Spiritual, Cultural, Social Fabric, and Western Decadence does concern me. These parts, it's all about what kind of car you drive- so much for Values. If God is with us, who could be against us.
I suspect, I am on the losing end of this and this structure will be built on top of this Historical Building.
Believe me, I just came here to visit an old Short Wave Radio Friend- not to get my head lopped off and placed on a stick! Cheers.
I would like to compare the "9/11" families to the families who lost loved ones at Pearl Harbor. The Pearl Harbor families had to wait over 18 years for their memorial and when it was done, it was simple, understated and reverent. The waters aropund the USS Arizona weren't "sacred". The 9/11 families are an embarrassment to all of us here in the USA when we compare them to the Pearl Harbor families.
I wonder if the 9/11 families will recall the shame the USA experienced by the hate shown toward the Japanese people during WW2 and how they will be remembered in 2060? It's very easy to hate and much more difficult to forgive and reconcile. The Muslim people should be invited to build their mosque in the World Trade Center as an act of reconciliation overcoming hate.
I really do need to run and get a Big Mac!- I'm swooning; however I must respond to this.
What do you mean when you say: the 9/11 families are an embarrassment to all of us here in the USA?
Thier Loved ones were not Combatants in the Miliatary- a bit like comparing apples and oranges isn't it.
Furthermore, I wonder how many Japanese Americans would care to have you represent them. Are you
referring to the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2? Thier Sons did serve during the War.
What the Hell is there to reconcile? These Muslims had any consideration, they would build this structure
somewhere else. Considering the controversy that has been stirred up, you would think they would want to. Why are they pressing forward with this? I will Hate Evil until the day I die. Your the Embarrassment.
I'm out of here.
Let's put there up a massage parlor! It's much better and more profitable.
we just dont need people like wilders and osama binm laden!!!!
Our world would be peaceful if we all were spiritual instead of religious. Why can't we separate religion from politics? Both divide and their combination destroys...as is evident...
"Our world would be peaceful if we all were spiritual instead of religious."---Very true!
Wow! Jasmin if only the world were the made up the way you mentioned instead of real. What you say is...like deep and that. We could like you know except reality and be like..separate and that. And have like each group you know.....have like it's own zone of control and that. And like that way there is less conflict and that. It's groups being mixed together that..well you know..like causes upsets and that. So we could separate and stop like..um you know hate and that.
Or we could instead do what we've been doing and pretend were headed for multicultral paradise. And with that in mind repeat after me. We are all headed for "The Multicutral Fuzzy Bunny Land of Smiling Rainbows".Repeat: We are all headed for "The Multicutral Fuzzy Bunny Land of Smiling Rainbows".
Thanks Matt C. I know it is foolish to dream of an ideal society, but I still do...Dreams do come true!
Why does the west feel that they are at war with Islam. The terrorists use Islam to their clear advantage. Please remember that there are millions around the world who follow Islam and they are not enemies of the west. The people who are fighting the west are just doing it due to an ideology difference. Please do not drag Islam into it. Doing this to gain political points will only aleniate the otherwise average muslim who may then starts thinking that he is being targetted.
Good article, but the title uses "further" incorrectly. When talking about physical distances, or directions, the correct word is "farther".
The Islam, like all religions, is just an illusion, an ancient monument to superstitions, ignorance and ferocity; it is only an ancient folly rejuvenated.
Here in the USA we are, ostensibly, beholden to this little document called 'The Constitution of the United States'. As such, there should be no legal roadblocks to the mosque. I DETEST all religion, as it is firstly what most often divides humans. I despise the ancient books and all of the hate contained therein. However, being of one religion or another, or not religious at all, should have no bearing whatsoever on where one builds a legally permitted building. We are, ostensibly, all equal under US law.
The Christian Fundamentalists and their allies that are making so much noise and airing so much hate and racism concerning the mosque issue are the same folks who hate gays, Progressives, anti-war activist, etc.
Unfortunately these people make up roughly half of the population in the US. If they can be convinced that you are for Christ, whatever you are against they will be against too. These folks would vote for Hitler if they thought he was for Christ and his opponent was not. Unfortunately we have not moved past religion as far as Europe has.
The objectors agree that the Muslims do have the right to build the Cordoba Mosque. They only ask that it not be built so near to Ground Zero. They call it inappropriate and insensitive to those who lost loved ones in the WTC attack that the Mosque be built so close to the place where Muslims shouting Allah hu Akbar were responsible for killing thousands of their loved ones. They also question the motives for the building of the Mosque due to the comments made by the Imam Rauf who is leading the project. These comments can be found by researching his name.
"Here in the USA we are,ostensibly beholden to this little document called 'The Constitution of the United States'"
Lets tell the truth now, if you were beholden to such a document Mr. Obama would be forced to show his birth certificate or step down. If you were in anyway beholden to such a document states rights would matter but don't worry Arizona will have it's watered down version of Federal Immigration law over-turned. And don't worry proposition 8 against gay marriage in California will also be overturned. And why you might ask it's simple really, the United States is beholden to ONLY political correctness and JUST political correctness. In other words the USA is exactly like the Netherlands or any country in Western Europe. The Constitution of the United States says whatever Leftists such as your self say it says, no less ,no more.
Hey man lets lie, lets pretend the Founding Fathers wrote that document with unlimited turd world immigration in mind, lets pretend they wanted gay marriage. Remember it's your politically correct dictatorship so do what ever your leftist heart desires because the American people have no control.
Wow. A little angry, are we? I thought we were talking about equal rights guaranteed by the constitution, which, by the way, famous leftists like Abraham Lincoln did change for the better, not to spite the founders, but to create a better union. So yes, you are correct, the document says whatever the leftisit majority of the country says it is. It must suck to be an angry Christian Soldier in a country with an evolving constitution. Every thing you hold dear is up for interpretation of some stupid judges or the will of the majority. Too bad you were not born a couple of centuries earlier, so you could have met your slaveholding forefathers. I am sure that you would have much in common. Have a great day, and if you are in the Netherlands, go over to the Picasso and have a bong rip for me.
So let me get this strait because I believe in democracy I'm a Christian soldier with slave holding forefathers? I find all this most fascinating. You do know there are more slaves alive today then were ever shipped by the Western Nations trans-atlantic slave trade right? But of course you don't care after all they are all slaves in Black Muslim nations like Sudan. Leftists are okay with slavery so long as nasty White Western folk aren't doing it. After all when is the last time a leftist mentioned present day slavery? They only care about slavery long ago that guilt trips white people like me, all Western involvement has been over since the 1860's and America fought a war between the States to end it. But hey let's guilt trip Westerners like me, it's your key to power false guilt. Leftists al agree with female oppression so long as icky White Western folk aren't doing it. Let's remember Leftists love,love,love the burka. They claim anyone who doesn't is filled with hate. And best of all these Leftists love the word "hypocrisy" always accusing people with so called "right-wing" opinions of it. You see it's a scam no bigger hypocrisy exists then leftists and their silence on Muslim modern slavery and love of the burka when they claim to love womens rights.
But back to your point both instances I named were vote wise supported and passed by the majority of American voters. You see your side didn't get the vote. But don't worry your country is a leftist dictatorship just like most Western countries so as I said, do what you want. After all just like most Western countries the American people clearly don't guts to stop you. Americans are as ballless as Western Europeans no difference.
I do like Christianity, I do feel it has helped to produce a better civilization in the West than that of Muslim nations but I'm not a believer merely a fan of it's results. Also only rich people could afford to own and feed slaves poor people who were White were just denied a paying job. But it's nice you assume my ancestors were powerful rich folk even if it ain't true.
1. "Democracy" as it is called obviously is a sham!
2. There of course was not 7,000,000,000 people on the planet during the trans-atlantic slave trade!
3. There is very little difference between a "leftist" and you. You all part of the same fraud and the status quo!
4. Most of your writing is incoherent babble!
5. All of the Western countries are Right Wing dictatorships! They have more in common with Hilter, Mussolini etcetera because of their love for Corporate control.
6. 99% of humans live in the same civilization. The West's is not different than anyone elses
We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.
We needa better to develop understanding in the USA with Islamic peoples. As Bush said at the time,
America is not an anti-Islamic nation.
I've lived near Muslims in a number of cities and for the most part have found them to be friendly, law abiding and kind in every aspect of life OTHER than religion. The Muslims that I have been acquainted have little to no tolerance for people of other religions, or people who practice no religion. My experience is that they preach tolerance, but never practice tolerance. If an issue is seen as anit-Islam such as alcohol, there is no tolerance or room for compromise. The other issue that has always disturbed me, even if dealing with people I've worked with is there low regard for women, women's rights, or womens freedom or privilege.
To Hiram2: exactly what I said: just one building to accommodate all faiths - non denominational. Your anti-Islam stance is showing. Pitty.
Vera, I hope you don't get sand in your nose when you finally pull your head out.
Vera Gottlieb, thank you! As long as members of the Islamic faith are beheading innocent people, flying airplanes into buildings and murdering thousands, bombing train stations in the UK and Spain, murdering innocent people in India for land which belongs to India, forcing and treating women as chattel, and one million and one other reasons, I will be anti-Islamic. Vera Gottlieb, Islam as it is taught today (via it's imams) is dangerous and it is a "pitty" that some people can not perceive the dangers; but, what does one expect of one who sees no evil in the way a religion and it's "Believers" treats others who are different (non-Believers and the People of the Book). Again I want to thank you for a compliment which was ment to be an insult but was not taken as so. Sir Knight Hiram.
Ok all pardon my candor and devil's advocate logic but I have opinions too you know **Cough Cough**
Hiram: I don't think you're Islamophobic. I think Your paranoia is showing up masking itself as Islamophobia. If I resort to psychoanalysis this very well might be because you're a die hard fan of Rush Limbaugh's talk radio shows and that your favorite author is Ann Coulter.
Fundamentalism and intolerance is an ugly ugly thing, I agree. Muslims seem more prone to it than other religions maybe because Muslims have such huge numbers and most of them live in non Western countries and come from conservative Cultures and are brainwashed by theocratic set up of their societies. Many other smaller religions are as fundamentalist and have all that honor killings, subjugation of women and homophobia...but of course they don't get talked about by Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter because it's not best seller material, the Money Maker. If dirty fanatics exist anywhere in the world ''THEY MUST BE MUSLIMS!'' seems to be the catch phrase that you subscribe to like such a zealot...such a crusader (no pun intended)
But apparently fundamentalism and intolerance exists even within Christendom. Hitler's Germany was both European (Lily White, Swastika clad solid Aryan kind you might say) and also Christian..... and look they slaughtered millions of Jews, Roma, homosexuals (that's Triple intolerance for you, killing people for their Religion, Race and Sexual Orientation!!!) and others on an industrial scale. Some scholars have suggested that people like you who get violently worked up about Muslims in Europe are going to lead the next Holocaust of Europe.... it will be Muslim minorities packed to concentration camps and people like you doing little song and dance thing, I hope not! Some people are terrible singers and dancers you know....
These days, In Uganda and neighboring African countries a thuggish militia operates by the name of Lord's Resistance army. They loot, pillage, kill men, rape and torture women, chop off their breasts, mutilate their bodies... and claim that their aim is to establish a nation based on Biblical Ten Commandments. Well, there's some naughty 'Christians' for you. But but Hiram you will of course say, ''These bastards are not Christians!' Why? Because they are Black? ''Umm ... Ummm..,' you will say, ''Not because they're Black... ummm.. ummm.. because they don't represent Christianity, that's bloody why!!!!'' Then I will say, 'Exactly Hiram, in the same way, stupid fanatics and misled young men like the ones who flew jet planes into WTC DO NOT REPRESENT ISLAM!!!! You GOT IT NOW HIRAM??''
As for conspiracy theorists, even though they may be partially or fully wrong, They still have the right to express their opinion because you know, ''IT'S A FREE COUNTRY MAN!!'' as the saying goes. Some of these ''conspiracy theorists'' are right that response to the 9/11 attacks while they were taking place was sluggish and unprofessional at first... like it was in Katrina.
I am not sure how True Muslims those jet plane hijackers were as I am not sure how true American Timothy McVeigh was....the Oklahoma City bomber... Remember....? I wonder if you think He had secretly converted to Islam before his terrorist attack against innocent civilians. Do you now??
At last, about building this thing at Ground Zero... should it be a Mosque or non denominational something... Why not learn from the Dutch and build a nice Brothel that will treat its employees with respect and dignity and provide good customer service and some decent fun in these tough times. Even the Governor could use one...it seems! **Cough Cough**
building a mosque there will cause more harm than good to relations between muslims vs. non-muslims. If the muslims' interest is for us to get along, pick another spot. Its not rocket science.
You going to gallop your way in to Uganda to stop the Christians from hanging homosexuals? You going to trot around the US preventing pro-life Christians from murdering doctors? Where were you when the Serbian Orthodox Christian were killing Muslims? How about stopping the Animists in South Africa from killing "witches"? Any input on on the Hindu Tamils ?
No, but we speak out against it, as we are doing re the inappropriateness and insensitivity of the proposed mega-mosque. In my country if we see danger we speak out.
How many U.S. abortion doctors have been killed - 3? 4? Measure that against the mass killing done by Muslims on 9/11 and other such acts of war in other countries, and the slaughter of Christians and others in Muslim-dominated areas happening even as I write. Start with Persecution.com to get informed. Read the Koran and familiarize yourself with Sharia and the Muslim Conquest.
Where were you when the Albanian Muslims were slaughtering the Serbian Christians in the province of Kosovo, Serbian since the 12th century, and an Albanian politician said "the way to get the Serbians out of Kosovo is to rape the Serbian women"? Thanks to the Clinton Administration, Kosovo now belongs to the Muslims and they are still hunting down and killing the few Christians still left in Kosovo, a Serbian province since the 12th century. Read some history.
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