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.
Mark in Indiana
I do not support any faith having a center close to ground zero. There should be one location for all faiths to morn equally. It is not a matter of religon it is a matter of eqaulity.
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18:40
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Adesina
The building of a Mosque so close to ground zero is definitely a slap in the face of the victims and their families. Why can't they just build it somewhere else for peace sake?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:39
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Steve in the US
WHYS, this spot is at the very least highly insensitive. Would you think putting a German heritage cultural center by Austwhich is a good idea? They may legally have a right but pick any other spot in NYC.
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18:39
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I, like an huge number of others am angry at this proposal.
If Muslims wish to 'make amends', why don't they take part in an ECUMENICAL building project, and have 'peace' as the central theme.
Why don't they wish to pray with other religions?
Men and women do worship in the same building - but in different parts (women on the outside).
Thank you for the debate.
Regards
MS.
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18:38
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Todd in Atlanta says...
For all my life I've always heard Americans talk about their strength and fighting spirit very loudly. Yet when it comes time to fight for the very rights that make you great in the Earth, I hear a lot of Americans 'hiding' behind the excuse of sensitivity.
Strikes me as odd and even a little cowardly.
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18:37
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Cooper
regarding the recent caller who was asked if it would okay to build a catholic church:
religion caused the 9/11 tragedy so the area should simply be respected as a religion free zone as a memorial to the dangers of religious extremism
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18:33
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Chad Lupkes It is time for Islam to have a Reformation, just like Christianity did several hundred years ago. If this community center and mosque creates the foundation for such a transformation of the Muslim world, then it will be a good thing. But that has to be the focus of what the mission of the cultural center will be. Reformation.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:32
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Lindsay Letts Absolutely. I am so frustrated with the people in this country that continue to take every opportunity to be afraid or pass unfair judgement on others-- praising 'freedom' and then doing their best to restrict the freedom of others.
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18:32
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Halim Abou Arraj The real questions are: who commissioned that mosque, who is really paying for it and is it really needed there...
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18:32
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Rodger Kasule to all you guys supporting this proposed mosque: I'll say this, you might see the impact of this acceptance about 5years from now, when America is being turned into a UK kind of situation, where the only vocal religion is Islam. that aside, I still feel it'd be insensitive to the families that lost their loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. just MHO.No mosque @Ground Zero
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18:31
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Lal Sain Building a mosque should be allowed near the ground zero site for one simple reason - Islam did not attack USA on 9/11. We should not demonize an entire religion on the basis of actions of a few individuals, in the same vein that entire Christianity should not demonized because of fringe groups like KKK or entire Hinduism should not be demonized because of actions of some Hindutva extremists.
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18:31
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Blaise Buma This is not a case of freedom of expression: there are thousands of mosques in America and Muslims worship freely. Why must the organizers freely express themselves only on ground-zero? I think such a move will dishonor the memories of thos...e who died on 9/11 and the those who lost their loved ones.
The perpetrators of 9/11 carried out the attack in the name of Islam. I think a more rational thing for the organizers to do would be to build a memorial - a religious center where both Muslims and Christians can come and pray - in honor of the victims of 9/11. The American public would welcome that.
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18:30
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Luisa Martinez I think it is entirely appropriate to include a mosque in the rebuilding of Ground Zero, as it is called. People of all religions, all nations mourn the deaths caused by extremists of all stripes. Build lots houses of worship around the area; make it a site that unites us in decrying extremism rather than dividing us according to who we happen to blame for it.
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18:30
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Jerome Toledo seriously speaking, NO....why? because people thinks those relentless islamic terrorist who take advantage of Islam for political reasons are the reason why it happen.....so if they will built a Mosque, that's completely insult to those victims of 9/11, right President Obama?
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18:29
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Charles Wang There’s no law against it; it doesn’t violate any zoning regulations; the city already approved it. So in some ways, the current debate is after the fact. However, it’s surprising that the planners did not take the sensitive nature of Groun...
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 YOURSAY
Mark in Indiana I do not support any faith having a center close to ground zero. There should be one location for all faiths to morn equally. It is not a matter of religon it is a matter of eqaulity.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Adesina The building of a Mosque so close to ground zero is definitely a slap in the face of the victims and their families. Why can't they just build it somewhere else for peace sake?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Steve in the US WHYS, this spot is at the very least highly insensitive. Would you think putting a German heritage cultural center by Austwhich is a good idea? They may legally have a right but pick any other spot in NYC.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
I, like an huge number of others am angry at this proposal. If Muslims wish to 'make amends', why don't they take part in an ECUMENICAL building project, and have 'peace' as the central theme. Why don't they wish to pray with other religions? Men and women do worship in the same building - but in different parts (women on the outside). Thank you for the debate. Regards MS.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Todd in Atlanta says... For all my life I've always heard Americans talk about their strength and fighting spirit very loudly. Yet when it comes time to fight for the very rights that make you great in the Earth, I hear a lot of Americans 'hiding' behind the excuse of sensitivity. Strikes me as odd and even a little cowardly.
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Cooper regarding the recent caller who was asked if it would okay to build a catholic church: religion caused the 9/11 tragedy so the area should simply be respected as a religion free zone as a memorial to the dangers of religious extremism
Comment sent via Facebook
Chad Lupkes It is time for Islam to have a Reformation, just like Christianity did several hundred years ago. If this community center and mosque creates the foundation for such a transformation of the Muslim world, then it will be a good thing. But that has to be the focus of what the mission of the cultural center will be. Reformation.
Comment sent via Facebook
Lindsay Letts Absolutely. I am so frustrated with the people in this country that continue to take every opportunity to be afraid or pass unfair judgement on others-- praising 'freedom' and then doing their best to restrict the freedom of others.
Comment sent via Facebook
Halim Abou Arraj The real questions are: who commissioned that mosque, who is really paying for it and is it really needed there...
Comment sent via Facebook
Rodger Kasule to all you guys supporting this proposed mosque: I'll say this, you might see the impact of this acceptance about 5years from now, when America is being turned into a UK kind of situation, where the only vocal religion is Islam. that aside, I still feel it'd be insensitive to the families that lost their loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. just MHO.No mosque @Ground Zero
Comment sent via Facebook
Lal Sain Building a mosque should be allowed near the ground zero site for one simple reason - Islam did not attack USA on 9/11. We should not demonize an entire religion on the basis of actions of a few individuals, in the same vein that entire Christianity should not demonized because of fringe groups like KKK or entire Hinduism should not be demonized because of actions of some Hindutva extremists.
Comment sent via Facebook
Blaise Buma This is not a case of freedom of expression: there are thousands of mosques in America and Muslims worship freely. Why must the organizers freely express themselves only on ground-zero? I think such a move will dishonor the memories of thos...e who died on 9/11 and the those who lost their loved ones. The perpetrators of 9/11 carried out the attack in the name of Islam. I think a more rational thing for the organizers to do would be to build a memorial - a religious center where both Muslims and Christians can come and pray - in honor of the victims of 9/11. The American public would welcome that.
Comment sent via Facebook
Luisa Martinez I think it is entirely appropriate to include a mosque in the rebuilding of Ground Zero, as it is called. People of all religions, all nations mourn the deaths caused by extremists of all stripes. Build lots houses of worship around the area; make it a site that unites us in decrying extremism rather than dividing us according to who we happen to blame for it.
Comment sent via Facebook
Jerome Toledo seriously speaking, NO....why? because people thinks those relentless islamic terrorist who take advantage of Islam for political reasons are the reason why it happen.....so if they will built a Mosque, that's completely insult to those victims of 9/11, right President Obama?
Comment sent via Facebook
Charles Wang There’s no law against it; it doesn’t violate any zoning regulations; the city already approved it. So in some ways, the current debate is after the fact. However, it’s surprising that the planners did not take the sensitive nature of Groun...