UPDATE: 4 AUGUST: In a unanimous vote the last obstacle to building a muslim community centre and mosque at the site of 9/11 has been removed. The project's planners say:
We are eager to begin working with our partners, supporters, neighbors and communities, to build a community center for everyone.
UPDATE: 3 AUGUST The debate over the plan to build a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero rages on. This column by Abe Foxman, head of the Anti-Defamation League an organisation which fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, garnered a huge reaction as he lays out reasons for their opposition to the mosque. And a great round-up of conflicting opinion here courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
Reading through the arguments, who do you agree with? Please post below.
UPDATE 10 JUNE: Opponents feel it's their moral duty to protest against what they call the 'mega mosque'. That's exactly what they did earlier this week when they hit the streets of Manhattan.The project founder continues to insist the aim of the Islamic Centre is to "bridge and heal the divide between Muslims and other Americans."
This blogger calls the whole idea an abomination but isn't impressed with the protestors behaviour. This piece adds that the debate is becoming irrational - there's zero tolerance on ground zero.
Heather Auvenshine Yes Iyzke-Let the New Yorkers decide/vote on it. But even I as an agnostic American thinks the area would be better served as a memorial to lives lost, and a mosque would be like a slap in the face of the family members of all whose lives were taken so suddenly. Americans do pride themselves on freedom of expression-and this is mine. No mosque at ground zero.
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18:29
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Sarah Elizabeth Canido to be blunt its just insensative. legally yes. why would a mosque want to be built there if they dont support terrorism as i believe they dont this would just b linking them further more...
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18:28
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Phil Hannigan in Fort Myers, Florida
The problem I have is the Call To Prayer. Most Mosques I have encountered have a loud speaker call to prayer five times a day. If the Mosque uses loud speakers, the call will sound over ground zero five times a day. That is insensitive since the people who crashed into the WTC were ones who heeded that call to prayer too.
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18:28
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Dorothy in Winston-SAlem, NC
The Muslims behind this center are culturally "insensitive." Muslims have not, for the last decade, spoken forcefully enough against muslim extremism; there should be almost a constant rebutting of all the misconstruals of the Koran, muslim beliefs, etc. Also, muslim "centers" around the world have been misused for extremist teachings. I don't think muslims worldwide have worked hard enough to counteract the abuse of women, civil rights, etc. They have not earned the privilege of situating a moslem building near ground zero. Building a center in that area is not necessary. Let's first see them energetically speak out against abuses and see them direct their energies to educating other cultures in other countries against extremism.
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18:27
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Ruth Brownin Washington, DC
To say that terrorism is "un-Islamic" puzzles me. I know that millions of mainstream Muslims around the world are peaceful and tolerant toward others, but the Prophet Muhammad was a mass murderer, and Muslims who commit terror consider themselves to be following in the prophet's footsteps.
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18:26
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Chris
This situation reminds me of something my mother always says: "Kill them with kindness" referring to how when people at her job (she's an ER nurse) are nasty and angry at her, she retaliates by being as kind and gentle as possible. Their goal is to make her angry and she defeats that by being nice. Terrorists have the goal of inspiring fear, it's where their name comes from. As such, we need respond to their efforts by saying "We are not afraid. We are only more steadfast in our beliefs of equality and freedom." I think putting up a mosque in the very place of their target will be a HUGE period at the end of that statement. Thanks.
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18:25
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Todd in Atlanta says...
At first I must admit that the idea did rub me the wrong way a little. It seemed to be provocative and in bad taste.
But after watching a commentary about this from CNN's Fareed Zakaria, and learning that the group behind the mosque is led by a man that is aggressively pushing for a moderate global view of Islam, it would be an absolute mistake not to allow this to move forward as quickly as possible. For a nation that makes a lot of noise about its freedom of speech and religion, the RIGHT-WINGERS being the noisiest of the bunch, it would smack of hypocrisy in the highest order to block the building of the mosque at ground-0 . Many Muslims were masacred on September 11th as well.
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18:25
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Ellen
Will the gentleman protesting the building of a mosque near Ground Zero also be working for the removal of any Catholic churches in the vicinity? After all, the official position of that church is anti-gay,and restricts women's rights.
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18:24
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Pauline Kahney, San Fancisco
I am listening to your caller talking about Muslim's being anti-gay and anti-women. What about the Catholic church and orthodox Jews, Evangelical Christians, the list goes on. What the number of Muslims who were killed in the attack on 9/ll? They are never brought into the discussion.
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18:24
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Tom in Fayetteville, PA
They should not build a mosque anywhere near ground zero. It is difficult to understand how the Muslims can be so sensitive and insecure with regard to anything pertaining to them. Yet at the same time they are tone deaf when it comes to the feelings of others.
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18:21
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Terry Bradshaw
Why not? It was violent fundamentalists who attacked us, not peaceful Muslims.
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18:20
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yzke Nii Sampah
I think it's for new yorkers 2 decide.....
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18:20
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Mwangi Gitau
If the ground was meant for a mosque, then it should be build. If otherwise, somebody might be trying to stir emotions.
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18:11
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We''re On Air talking about: If it''s appropriate to build a mosque near ground zero?
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17:35
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@±«Óãtv_WHYS I think the mosque should not be built. It's the last desecration of the departed souls since the guys (cont)
Should a mosque be built near Ground Zero?
| Monday, 8 Aug. 2010 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
UPDATE: 4 AUGUST: In a unanimous vote the last obstacle to building a muslim community centre and mosque at the site of 9/11 has been removed. The project's planners say:
We are eager to begin working with our partners, supporters, neighbors and communities, to build a community center for everyone.
UPDATE: 3 AUGUST The debate over the plan to build a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero rages on. This column by Abe Foxman, head of the Anti-Defamation League an organisation which fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, garnered a huge reaction as he lays out reasons for their opposition to the mosque. And a great round-up of conflicting opinion here courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.
Reading through the arguments, who do you agree with? Please post below.
UPDATE 10 JUNE: Opponents feel it's their moral duty to protest against what they call the 'mega mosque'. That's exactly what they did earlier this week when they hit the streets of Manhattan.The project founder continues to insist the aim of the Islamic Centre is to "bridge and heal the divide between Muslims and other Americans."
This blogger calls the whole idea an abomination but isn't impressed with the protestors behaviour. This piece adds that the debate is becoming irrational - there's zero tolerance on ground zero.
Your comments
Comment sent via Facebook
Heather Auvenshine Yes Iyzke-Let the New Yorkers decide/vote on it. But even I as an agnostic American thinks the area would be better served as a memorial to lives lost, and a mosque would be like a slap in the face of the family members of all whose lives were taken so suddenly. Americans do pride themselves on freedom of expression-and this is mine. No mosque at ground zero.
Comment sent via Facebook
Sarah Elizabeth Canido to be blunt its just insensative. legally yes. why would a mosque want to be built there if they dont support terrorism as i believe they dont this would just b linking them further more...
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Phil Hannigan in Fort Myers, Florida The problem I have is the Call To Prayer. Most Mosques I have encountered have a loud speaker call to prayer five times a day. If the Mosque uses loud speakers, the call will sound over ground zero five times a day. That is insensitive since the people who crashed into the WTC were ones who heeded that call to prayer too.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Dorothy in Winston-SAlem, NC The Muslims behind this center are culturally "insensitive." Muslims have not, for the last decade, spoken forcefully enough against muslim extremism; there should be almost a constant rebutting of all the misconstruals of the Koran, muslim beliefs, etc. Also, muslim "centers" around the world have been misused for extremist teachings. I don't think muslims worldwide have worked hard enough to counteract the abuse of women, civil rights, etc. They have not earned the privilege of situating a moslem building near ground zero. Building a center in that area is not necessary. Let's first see them energetically speak out against abuses and see them direct their energies to educating other cultures in other countries against extremism.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Ruth Brownin Washington, DC To say that terrorism is "un-Islamic" puzzles me. I know that millions of mainstream Muslims around the world are peaceful and tolerant toward others, but the Prophet Muhammad was a mass murderer, and Muslims who commit terror consider themselves to be following in the prophet's footsteps.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Chris This situation reminds me of something my mother always says: "Kill them with kindness" referring to how when people at her job (she's an ER nurse) are nasty and angry at her, she retaliates by being as kind and gentle as possible. Their goal is to make her angry and she defeats that by being nice. Terrorists have the goal of inspiring fear, it's where their name comes from. As such, we need respond to their efforts by saying "We are not afraid. We are only more steadfast in our beliefs of equality and freedom." I think putting up a mosque in the very place of their target will be a HUGE period at the end of that statement. Thanks.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Todd in Atlanta says... At first I must admit that the idea did rub me the wrong way a little. It seemed to be provocative and in bad taste. But after watching a commentary about this from CNN's Fareed Zakaria, and learning that the group behind the mosque is led by a man that is aggressively pushing for a moderate global view of Islam, it would be an absolute mistake not to allow this to move forward as quickly as possible. For a nation that makes a lot of noise about its freedom of speech and religion, the RIGHT-WINGERS being the noisiest of the bunch, it would smack of hypocrisy in the highest order to block the building of the mosque at ground-0 . Many Muslims were masacred on September 11th as well.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Ellen Will the gentleman protesting the building of a mosque near Ground Zero also be working for the removal of any Catholic churches in the vicinity? After all, the official position of that church is anti-gay,and restricts women's rights.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Pauline Kahney, San Fancisco I am listening to your caller talking about Muslim's being anti-gay and anti-women. What about the Catholic church and orthodox Jews, Evangelical Christians, the list goes on. What the number of Muslims who were killed in the attack on 9/ll? They are never brought into the discussion.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Tom in Fayetteville, PA They should not build a mosque anywhere near ground zero. It is difficult to understand how the Muslims can be so sensitive and insecure with regard to anything pertaining to them. Yet at the same time they are tone deaf when it comes to the feelings of others.
Comment sent via Facebook
Terry Bradshaw Why not? It was violent fundamentalists who attacked us, not peaceful Muslims.
Comment sent via Facebook
yzke Nii Sampah I think it's for new yorkers 2 decide.....
Comment sent via Facebook
Mwangi Gitau If the ground was meant for a mosque, then it should be build. If otherwise, somebody might be trying to stir emotions.
Comment sent via host
We''re On Air talking about: If it''s appropriate to build a mosque near ground zero?
Comment sent via Twitter
@±«Óãtv_WHYS I think the mosque should not be built. It's the last desecration of the departed souls since the guys (cont)