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| {{Merge to |Park51 |discuss=Talk:Park51#Merge_proposal|date=April 2013}} | |||
| {{Main|Park51}} | |||
| Proposals to locate an Islamic centre near the ] have sparked controversy. Backers of the proposal initially named it the ], later renaming it to ]. | |||
| Although the ] building would not be visible from the World Trade Center site,<ref name="NewYorker-16Aug">{{cite news|url=http://www.newyorker.com/talk/comment/2010/08/16/100816taco_talk_hertzberg|title=Zero Grounds|work=The New Yorker|author=Hendrik Hertzberg|date=August 16, 2010|accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref> opponents of the Park51 project have said, among other things, that establishing a mosque so close to ] would be offensive since the hijackers in the ] were ]. Supporters have pointed out that some victims and victims' families are in favor of the Park51 project and that some victims were also Muslims. Prominent supporters and opponents of the project can be found among the families of the 9/11 victims, the American and worldwide Muslim communities,<ref name="aawsat1" /><ref name="nytimes3" /><ref name="boston2">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/06/06/a_mosque_at_ground_zero/ |title=A mosque at ground zero? |author=Jeff Jacoby |work=The Boston Globe |date=June 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="cnn award">{{cite news|title=CNN host returns award from Jewish group over Islamic center stance |url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/07/cnn-host-returns-award-from-jewish-group-over-islamic-center-stance/|author=The Editors - CNN Belief Blog |publisher=CNN |date=August 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=1176 |title=MPAC Reps Discuss Islamic Community Center Project Proposed Near Ground Zero In National Media |home=MPAC.org |date=July 27, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100803/REAL_ESTATE/100809953/0/REAL_ESTATE |author=Emily Laermer |title=Ground Zero mosque plans move forward |work=Crain's New York Business |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> and local and national politicians,<ref name="nytimes3">{{cite news|author=Javier C. Hernandez |url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/03/mosque-near-ground-zero-clears-key-hurdle/ |title=Mosque Near Ground Zero Clears Key Hurdle |work=The New York Times |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref><ref name="wt">{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/27/the-911-mosque/|author=Editorial|title= The 9/11 Mosque |work=The Washington Times |date=May 27, 2010 |accessdate=May 30, 2010}}</ref> making it a divisive political campaign issue in the ].<ref name="Ghosh">{{cite news|author=Bobby Ghosh |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2011798,00.html |title=Mosque Controversy: Does America Have a Muslim Problem? |work=Time |date=August 19, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref><ref name="postsenatecampaigns">{{cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/08/gop_senate_candidates_drag_oba.html|title=GOP Senate candidates drag Obama's mosque speech into their races|author=Greg Sargent|date=August 16, 2010|work=The Washington Post|accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref> The controversy over the project has coincided with unexpected protests of mosque projects in other states, leading to concerns that relations between Muslims and non-Muslims within the US are deteriorating.<ref name="Ghosh"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Annie Gowen |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082202895.html |title=Far from Ground Zero, other plans for mosques run into vehement opposition |work=The Washington Post |date=August 23, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mosquecontroversytimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/us/08mosque.html|title=Across Nation, Mosque Projects Meet Opposition|author=Laurie Goodstein|date=August 7, 2010|work=The New York Times|accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref> The center is intended to also serve as a platform for ] dialogue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/frequently-asked-questions |title=Frequently Asked Questions about Cordoba |publisher=Cordoba Initiative Official Website | quote= The proposed community center in Lower Manhattan will serve as a platform for multi-faith dialogue. | accessdate=October 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ==Polls== | |||
| ] | |||
| Polls showed that the majority of Americans, New York State residents, and New York City residents opposed building the center near Ground Zero. Polls showed either a plurality or majority of Manhattanites supported building the center. | |||
| In July 2010, the majority of Americans were opposed to the mosque/Islamic center.<ref name="nytimes4">{{cite news|title=Debate Heats Up About Mosque Near Ground Zero |author=Michael Barbaro |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/nyregion/31mosque.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> By a margin of 54%–20%, American adults were opposed to a mosque being built near Ground Zero, a national ] poll found that month.<ref> | |||
| {{cite web|url=http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/econ_survey_toplines/july_2010/toplines_mosque_july_19_20_2010 |title= Mosque – July 19–20, 2010 |home=RasmussenReports.com |date = July 2010|accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxny.com/dpps/news/local_news/manhattan/Rasmussen-Poll-Most-Oppose-Mosque-Near-Ground-Zero_8789239 |title=Rasmussen Poll: Most Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero |publisher=Fox News |date=July 22, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Furthermore, according to an August 10–11 ] poll, 64% of Americans (a majority of each of Democrats (56%–38%), Republicans (76%–17%), and Independents (53%–41%)) thought it would be wrong to build a mosque and Islamic cultural center so close to Ground Zero, and 30% felt it would be appropriate.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/081310_MosquePoll.pdf | title=Fox News Poll| publisher=Fox News|date=August 13, 2010|accessdate=September 2, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| A CNN poll conducted August 6–10, 2010, found that Americans opposed the Park51 project by a margin of 68%–29%.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/poll-nearly-70-of-americans-op.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=CNN Poll: Nearly 70% Of Americans Oppose NYC Mosque Plan}}</ref><ref name="politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com">{{cite news| url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/11/overwhelming-majority-oppose-mosque-near-ground-zero/ | publisher=CNN | title=Overwhelming majority oppose mosque near Ground Zero}}</ref> | |||
| A majority of each of Democrats (54%–34%), Republicans (82%–17%), and Independents (70%–24%) were opposed.<ref name="politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com"/> An ]/] national poll taken the week of August 19, 2010 confirmed these findings. Overall, this poll found that Americans opposed the Park51 project by a margin of 57.9%–17.5%, with 24.5% undecided on the question. Democrats (41.0%–28.0%), Republicans (88.3%–1.7%) and Independents (57.6%–21.3%) were opposed to the project according to this poll.<ref name="econyougov \">, '']'', Aug 19th 2010.</ref> | |||
| In addition, by a margin of 52%–31% New York City voters opposed the construction, according to a ] poll carried out in June 2010.<ref name=poll> | |||
| {{cite news|title=More than half of New York voters oppose Ground Zero mosque plan: poll |author=Samuel Goldsmith |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/07/01/2010-07-01_more_than_half_of_new_york_voters_oppose_ground_zero_mosque_plan_poll.html |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=July 1, 2010 |accessdate=July 31, 2010}}</ref><ref> | |||
| {{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-01/new-york-city-voters-oppose-mosque-near-ground-zero-poll-says.html |author=Martin Z. Braun |title=New York City Voters Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero, Poll Says |magazine=] |date=July 1, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/02/controvery-surrounds-construction-mosques/|author=Lauren Green |title=Controversy Surrounds Construction of Mosques Across U.S |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1302.xml?ReleaseID=1473|title=New York City Voters Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Does Mosque Foster Understanding Or Insult 9/11 Victims?|date=July 1, 2010|accessdate=August 21, 2010|home=Quinnipiac.edu}}</ref> | |||
| At the same time, 46% of Manhattanites supported it, while 36% opposed it. Opposition was strongest in ], where 73% opposed it while only 14% supported it.<ref name="poll" /><ref name="sfgate1">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/08/03/bloomberg1376-L6KYQQ6VJ6RL01-0S5L40PLCGTPOD0RS64DV6DMFD.DTL |author=Simone Baribeau; David Levitt; Nicholas Johnston; Stacie Servetah and Mark Schoifet |title=Ground Zero Mosque Plans Move Forward After Key Vote |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> A higher percentage of Republicans (82%) than Democrats (45%) opposed the plan.<ref>{{cite news|author=Steven Thrasher|url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/07/cordoba_house_p.php |title=Cordoba House Poll: New Yorkers Oppose, Staten Islanders REALLY Oppose Mosque Near Ground Zero–Runnin' Scared |work=The Village Voice |date=July 1, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| A ] taken July 28 – August 5, 2010 showed a similar city-wide margin of registered voters against it (53%–34%, with 13% unsure), although those in Manhattan supported it, reversing the figures: 53% to 31%, with 16% unsure.<ref name=marist1>{{cite web|url=http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/misc/nycpolls/c100728/Bloomberg_RV/Complete%20August%2010,%202010%20NYC%20Poll%20Release%20and%20Tables.pdf |title=Bloomberg's Approval Rating; Voters' Views on Mosque Near Ground Zero; Bloomberg's Legacy|home=MaristPoll.edu|date=August 10, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=William McQuillen |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-15/republicans-seek-to-make-ground-zero-mosque-an-issue-in-november-elections.html |title=Republicans Seek to Make Ground Zero Mosque a Campaign Issue |publisher=Bloomberg |date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref> An updated Marist poll in September 2010 showed that support for Park51 had grown, with 41% in favor and 51% opposed. Support among African Americans, liberals, Democrats, and residents of the Bronx had increased. Manhattanites remained supportive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/misc/nycpolls/c100902/Bloomberg/Construction_of_Mosque_Near_World_Trade_Center_Site.htm |title=Construction_of_Mosque_Near_World_Trade_Center_Site.htm |home=Maristpoll.marist.edu |date = September 2010|accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Statewide, by a margin of 61%–26% New Yorkers opposed the mosque's construction at that location, according to another poll in August 2010, by ],<ref>{{cite news|author=Jillian Scharr |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Jewish-Leaders-Gather-to-Support-Ground-Zero-Mosque-100049479.html |title=Jewish Leaders Gather to Support Ground Zero Mosque |publisher=WNBC|date=July 31, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref name="siena1">, Dr. Don Levy, ], August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2010.</ref><ref name="timesunion1">{{cite news|url=http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/30367/siena-poll-majority-still-opposes-mosque/ |title=Siena poll: Majority still opposes mosque – Capitol Confidential |work=Times Union |location=Albany |date=May 20, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> whose poll question wording was criticized by a writer at '']'' magazine.<ref>{{cite news|author=Willliam Saletan|title=Mosque Uprising: Islam and the emerging religious threat to our Constitution|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2263208/pagenum/all/#p2|work=Slate|accessdate=August 9, 2010}}</ref> A majority of both Republicans (81%) and Democrats (55%) were opposed to it, as were conservatives (85%), moderates (55%), and liberals (52%).<ref name="timesunion1"/> Among New York City residents, a margin of 56%–33% opposed it.<ref name="siena1"/><ref name="timesunion1"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Daniel Halper |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/61-new-yorkers-oppose-ground-zero-mosque |title=61% of New Yorkers Oppose Ground Zero Mosque |magazine=The Weekly Standard |date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Some polls tried to gauge public opinion of Muslims' right to build Park51 near ground zero. The ] poll of New York State residents released August 31, 2010 found a 54–40 percent majority of voters agreeing 'that because of American freedom of religion, Muslims have the right to build the mosque near Ground Zero'.<ref name="quinn">{{cite web|url=http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1318.xml?ReleaseID=1493 |title=August 31, 2010 - 9/11 Family Concerns Outweigh Muslim Right To Mosque, New York State Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll|home=Quinnipiac.edu |date=August 31, 2010 |accessdate=August 31, 2010}}</ref> A Fox News national poll taken August 10–11, 2010 found that 61% felt that the project developers had a right to build a mosque there (a majority of Democrats (63%–32%), Republicans (57%–36%), and Independents (69%–29%).<ref name="foxpolldata">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/13/fox-news-poll-percent-think-wrong-build-mosque-near-ground-zero/|author=Dana Blanton |title=Fox News Poll: 64 Percent Think It's Wrong to Build Mosque Near Ground Zero|publisher=Fox News |date=August 13, 2010 |accessdate=August 31, 2010}}</ref> The ]/YouGov poll taken the week of August 19, 2010 concurred that Democrats (57.5%–24.9%) and Independents (62.3–25.2%) believed Muslims had a "constitutional right" to build a mosque at the site, but found that Republicans (31.8%–53.2%) did not believe that Muslims had such a right. The poll found that 50.2%, overall, supported the constitutional right to build at the site, 32.7% were opposed and 17.1% had no opinion.<ref name="econyougov \" /> | |||
| The Economist/YouGov poll also noted that 52% of Americans believe that "Muslims should be able to build mosques in the United States wherever other religions can build houses of worship", as opposed to 34% who believe that "there are some places in the United States where it is not appropriate to build mosques, though it would be appropriate to build other houses of worship" and 14% who believe "mosques should not be permitted anywhere in the United States".<ref name="econyougov \" /> | |||
| ==Funding sources== | |||
| Imam Abdul Rauf has promised to identify all financial backers of Park51.<ref>Caruso, David., '']''. Sep 8, 2010.</ref> Developer Sharif El-Gamal said in an August 27 interview that they will refuse money from groups such as the government of Iran and Hamas as well as any other "organizations that have un-American values".<ref>{{cite news|author=Brian Montopoli|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20014959-503544.html |title="Ground Zero Mosque" Developer Sharif El-Gamal: No Money from Iran, Hamas |work=Political Hotsheet |publisher=CBS News |date=August 27, 2010 |accessdate=September 13, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' states that initially Imam Abdul Rauf said the project would be funded entirely by the Muslim American community,<ref name="Money Behind">{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/money_behind_the_mosque_SZDcDNLjX4SwxHmwtES5mK |title=Money Behind the Mosque - Opinion|author=Editorial |work=New York Post |date=August 4, 2010|accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref> though later he told a London-based Arabic-language newspaper '']'' that he would seek funding from Muslim and Arab nations. The latter story is also reported by ].<ref name="Money Behind"/><ref name="nypost2">{{cite news|author=Tom Topousis|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/landmark_vote_on_ground_zero_mosque_7iWKADGQO0hZKHkpSdxYWN |title=Landmark vote on Ground Zero mosque |work=New York Post |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Gabe Pressman|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Should-the-Mosque-Be-Built-----Follow-the-Money--99967009.html |title=Should the Mosque Be Built? – Follow the Money |publisher=WNBC|date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Tom Topousis |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/foreign_mosque_money_OSkAG6ucmWz6yPAJU61cTO |title=Proposed mosque at Ground Zero to be funded partly with foreign money according to Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf |work=New York Post |date=May 25, 2010|accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jillian Scharr|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Jewish-Leaders-Gather-to-Support-Ground-Zero-Mosque-100049479.html |title=Jewish Leaders Gather to Support Ground Zero Mosque |publisher=WNBC|date=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Mohammed Al Shafey |url=http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=20990 |title=Loading |home=Asharq-e.com |date=May 18, 2010 |accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ], a journalist with the ] and a weekly columnist for '']'', questioned the source of the funding for the project.<ref name="forbes1">{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/30/imam-faisal-ground-zero-mosque-money-opinions-columnists-claudia-rosett.html?boxes=financechannelforbes |title=Where In The World Is Imam Feisal? |author=Claudia Rosett |work=Forbes |date=July 30, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010|archiveurl=http://archive.is/6bqnv|archivedate=January 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/06/imam-feisal-ground-zero-mosque-opinions-columnists-claudia-rosett.html |title=Further Travels Of Imam Feisal - Opinion |author=Claudia Rosett |work=Forbes |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 7, 2010 |accessdate=September 14, 2010|archiveurl=http://archive.is/uIic|archivedate=September 18, 2012}}</ref> Some U.S. politicians such as Connecticut Senator ], who is an ], and Republicans ] and ] (N.Y.-2), asked for an investigation of the group's finances, especially its foreign funding, despite the fact that fundraising for the project had not yet begun.<ref name="autogenerated3">{{cite news|author=Devlin Barret|url=http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/08/03/mosque-debate-isnt-going-away/ |title=Mosque Debate Isn't Going Away |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> King said: "The people who are involved in the construction of the mosque are refusing to say where their funding is going to come from."<ref name="nyt-2010-07-13">{{cite news|title=Planned Sign of Tolerance Bringing Division Instead |author=Javier C. Hernandez |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/nyregion/14center.html |work=The New York Times |date=July 13, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="cnsnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/70234 |title=NY Congressman Calls for Probe of Funding for Mosque Near Ground Zero and Its Promoter |author=Nick Dean |publisher=CNS News |date=September 30, 2001 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="voanews1">{{cite news|url=http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/religion/Muslim-Group-Faces-Opposition-Near-New-Yorks-Ground-Zero-99049124.html |title=Muslim Group Faces Opposition Near New York's Ground Zero |author=Carolyn Weaver |publisher=] |date=July 22, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Lazio said: "Let's have transparency. If they're foreign governments, we ought to know about it. If they're radical organizations, we ought to know about it."<ref name="nytimes3"/> | |||
| Dr. ], President of the ], called for transparency in the funding of the project, suggesting foreign sources could imply an ulterior agenda.<ref name="foxnews2">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/14/plan-build-mosque-near-ground-zero-riles-families-victims/|author=Lauren Green |title=Plan to Build Mosque Near Ground Zero Riles Families of 9/11 Victims |publisher=Fox News|date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref> Reza Aslan responded to Dr. Jasser's demand by saying that it was "absurd" to assume that overseas funding must necessarily involve extremism. He also said that it would be acceptable to demand mosques to be transparent about funding if the same was also demanded of a ] church or a Jewish temple.<ref name=CNN_debate/> | |||
| ] said: "Where does come from?' I don't know. Do you really want every time they pass the basket in your church, and you throw a buck in, they run over and say, '... where do you come from? ... Where did you get this money?' No."<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Howard |url= |title=Mayor Sparks Mosque Fray |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 7, 2010}}</ref> The TV news anchor ] said: "...if you start going into who is giving money to whom ... you have to go to my church. You have got to go to ] and start asking where the money is going into Rome. And you have to go to the ]s and ask them, well, what are they doing with their money?"<ref>{{cite news| author=Rick Sanchez| publisher = CNN|date = August 11, 2010|accessdate=August 13, 2010|url= http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/11/fmr-new-york-governor-pataki-thoughts-on-the-ground-zero-muslim-cultural-center/ | title=Fmr. N.Y. Gov. Pataki's thoughts on Ground Zero Islamic Cultural Center/Mosque}}</ref> | |||
| Vogel and Russonello cite claims that donations "totaling $900,000, that the government of Qatar and a foundation run by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal have made to nonprofits or projects headed by Feisal Abdul Rauf" are involved. They further explore the funding of the mosque's opponents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41767.html#ixzz1zO46EMhc|title=Latest mosque issue: The money trail|date=5 Sept 2010|accessdate=1 Jul 2012|publisher=Politico.com}}</ref> | |||
| ==Abdul Rauf's views of the project== | |||
| {{Main|Feisal Abdul Rauf}} | |||
| Abdul Rauf, a Kuwaiti-American ] Muslim, was the chief proponent of the project until he was replaced in January 2011.<ref name="aawsat1">{{cite news|author=Mohammed Al Shafey |url=http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=20990 |title=Controversy Rages in NYC over Planned Mosque Near Ground Zero |work=Asharq Al-Awsat |date=May 18, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="nyt-2010-07-13"/><ref name="nypost1">{{cite news|author=Tom Topousis |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/imam_terror_error_efmizkHuBUaVnfuQcrcabL#ixzz0rJTKPGE6 |title=Muslim Imam leading push to build a mosque near Ground Zero wavers on questions about Hamas as a terror group |work=New York Post |date=June 19, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="cordobainitiative1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/staff-bios#Imam%20Feisal%20Abdul%20Rauf |title=Staff Bios |home=CordobaInitiative.org |date=July 31, 2007 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref> Some U.S. politicians and others voiced concerns about his views.<ref name="aawsat1"/><ref name="nyt-2010-07-13"/><ref name="nypost1"/> Others, including ''The Economist'' have described him as "a well-meaning American cleric who has spent years trying to promote interfaith understanding".<ref name="Lexington-5Aug">{{cite news|author=Editorial|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16743239|title=Build that mosque: The campaign against the proposed Cordoba centre in New York is unjust and dangerous|date=August 5, 2010|accessdate=August 21, 2010|work=The Economist}}</ref> | |||
| In an interview September 8, 2010 Abdul Rauf was asked if he would have done anything differently had he known the controversy would erupt. His answer: "If I knew this would happen, this would cause this kind of pain, I wouldn't have done it. My life has been devoted to peacemaking."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1009/08/lkl.01.html |title= CNN.com Transcripts |publisher=CNN |date=September 8, 2010 |accessdate=September 10, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The ] ] posted on ] identify Abdul Rauf as an "operational asset of the FBI", and speculate that the entire project may have been undertaken for political reasons.<ref>http://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/373982_re-ct-untangling-the-bizarre-cia-links-to-the-ground-zero.html</ref> | |||
| ==The controversy as a recruitment tool for radical Islamists== | |||
| Counterterrorism analysts have noted that the developing controversy over Park51 has provided a "recruitment opportunity" for radical Islamist groups. According to Evan Kohlmann, the senior partner in the New York-based security firm Flashpoint Global Partners, "he reaction is, at least on the part of extremists, fairly gleeful - that America is playing into our hands, that America is revealing its ugly face, and that even if it doesn't further radicalize people in the Middle East, there's no doubt that it will radicalize a kind of a key constituency that al-Qaida and other extremists are seeking to covet{{Sic}}, seeking to court, which is the small number of homegrown extremists here in the United States".<ref>{{cite news|author=Gary Thomas |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Radical-Islamists-Try-to-Exploit-Islamophobia-101592048.html |title=Radical Islamists Try to Exploit Islamophobia |publisher=Voice of America|date=August 26, 2010 |accessdate=September 2, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ''Newsweek'' quotes a Taliban operative as explicitly connecting increased opposition to the mosque with increased support for the Taliban's cause. "By preventing this mosque from being built, America is doing us a big favor," the Taliban operative stated. "It's providing us with more recruits, donations, and popular support."<ref>{{cite news|author=Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/30/taliban-using-mosque-controversy-to-recruit.html |title=The Taliban vs. the Mosque |work=Newsweek |date=August 30, 2010 |accessdate=September 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ==Opposition== | |||
| ===9/11 families=== | |||
| Some relatives of victims of the September 11 attacks said they found the proposal offensive because the perpetrators who committed the attacks did so in the name of Islam.<ref name="nydailynews2">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/06/2010-05-06_plan_for_mosque_near_world_trade_center_site_moves_ahead.html |title=Plan for mosque near World Trade Center site moves ahead |author=Joe Jackson and Bill Hutchinson |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=May 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> A number said that it was not an issue of freedom of religion, property rights, or racism, but rather one of sensitivity to the families of those killed, in choosing the specific location of the mosque. | |||
| A group of victims' relatives, 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America, called the proposal "a gross insult to the memory of those who were killed on that terrible day".<ref name="boston2"/> ], a co-founder of the group whose brother died in the attacks, said: <blockquote>This is a place which is 600 feet from where almost 3,000 people were torn to pieces by Islamic extremists.... it is incredibly insensitive and audacious ... for them to build a mosque ... so that they could be in proximity to where that atrocity happened... The idea that you would establish a religious institution that embraces the very '']'' law that terrorists point to as their justification for what they did ... to build that where almost 3,000 people died, that is an obscenity to me.<ref name="foxnews2"/></blockquote> | |||
| ], whose son was a firefighter who was killed in the attacks, and who has testified before Congress on 9/11, said that the center would be "sacrilege on sacred ground", and that "People are being accused of being anti-Muslim and racist, but this is simply a matter of sensitivity."<ref name="nyt-2010-07-13"/><ref name="newsweek1">{{cite news|author=Lisa Miller |url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/08/war-over-ground-zero.html |title=War Over Ground Zero |magazine=Newsweek |date=August 8, 2010 |accessdate=August 8, 2010}}</ref> Former ] Deputy Chief Jim Riches, whose son Jim was killed, said: "I don't want to have to go down to a memorial where my son died on 9/11, and look at a mosque," adding "this is all about location, location, location. It's not about religious freedom ... be sensitive to the families."<ref name="nydailynews2"/><ref name="wcbstv1">{{cite news|url=http://wcbstv.com/topstories/ground.zero.mosque.2.1837909.html |title=Commission Expected to OK Ground Zero Mosque |publisher=WCBS TV|date= |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=September 2010}}</ref> Michael Burke, whose brother died, wrote: "Freedom of religion or expression and ] are not the issues.... Decency is; right and wrong is... any believe that their "rights" supersede all other considerations, like what is respectful, considerate, and decent. A mosque ... steps from Ground Zero in a building damaged in the attacks is ... astoundingly insensitive".<ref name="nytimes5">, '']'', August 3, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.</ref> | |||
| C. Lee Hanson, whose son, daughter-in-law, and baby granddaughter were killed, felt that building a tribute to Islam so close to the World Trade Center site would be insensitive: "The pain never goes away. When I look over there and I see a mosque, it's going to hurt. Build it someplace else."<ref name="nytimes5"/><ref name="nytimes2">{{cite news|title=Vote Endorses Muslim Center Near Ground Zero |author=Javier C. Hernandez |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/nyregion/26muslim.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 25, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Rosemary Cain, whose son was killed, called the project a "slap in the face", and said "I think it's despicable. That's sacred ground", and "I don't want a mosque on my son's grave".<ref name="nydailynews2"/><ref name="tribecatrib1">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/2010/may/617_cb1-backs-imams-community-center-but-stays-silent-on-mosque-near-wtc.html |title=CB1 Backs Imam's Community Center, Silent on Mosque Near WTC |author=Matt Dunning |work=The Tribeca Trib |date=May 26, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref> Nancy Nee, whose brother was killed, said: "It's almost like a trophy. The whole thing just reeks of arrogance at this point."<ref name="aolnews1">{{cite news|author=Mara Gay |url=http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/9-11-families-speak-out-on-ground-zero-muslim-center/19581141 |title=9/11 Victims' Families Have Mixed Reactions to Ground Zero Muslim Center |publisher=AOL News |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Evelyn Pettigano, who lost a sister, said: "I don't like it. I'm not prejudiced.... It's too close to the area where our family members were murdered."<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9065537 |title=Mosque going up in NYC building damaged on 9/11 |author=Cristian Salazar |work=The Guardian|date=May 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> Dov Shefi, whose son Haggai was killed, said: "the establishment of a mosque in this place ... is like bringing a pig into the ]. It is inconceivable that in all the city of New York, this site was specifically chosen."<ref>{{cite news|title=Israeli general opposes Ground Zero mosque |url=http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=21641 |work=Israel Today |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> Cindy McGinty, whose husband was killed, said she hoped that officials would keep an eye on the funding source for the mosque, adding: "Why did they pick this spot? Why aren't they being more sensitive? I don't trust it."<ref name="boston3">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/05/patrick_backs_nyc_mosque_plan/?page=2 |title=Patrick backs NYC mosque plan |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010 | author=Stephanie Ebbert}}</ref> Barry Zelman, whose brother was killed, said: "We can say all Muslims did not do this, which is true. But they did it in the name of that religion. You wouldn't have a German cultural center on top of a death camp."<ref name="aolnews1"/> | |||
| Rosaleen Tallon-DaRos, whose brother died, urged that the mosque not be put on that site, as did Tim Brown, a New York City firefighter who survived the attack.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/real-estate/landmarks-hosts-heated-three-hour-hearing-mosque |title=Landmarks Hosts Heated Three-Hour Hearing on Mosque |work=The New York Observer |date=July 14, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> He said: "The families lost their loved ones to terrorists, Islamic, Muslim terrorists who do not believe in religious freedom."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/69924 |title=ACLJ Asks Commission to Make N.Y. Building a Landmark to Keep 13-Story Mosque from Being Built at Ground Zero |author=Nick Dean |publisher=CNS News |date=July 26, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Maureen Basnicki, a Canadian whose husband Ken died, questioned the message of the mosque and said that "this all adds hurt and insult to our injuries."<ref name="Edwards">{{cite news|url=http://www.canada.com/news/Wife+Canadian+victim+critical+Ground+Zero+mosque+plans/3410249/story.html |title=Wife of Canadian 9/11 victim critical of Ground Zero mosque plans |author=Steven Edwards |publisher=Canada.com |date=August 17, 2010|archivedate= August 2, 2010|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100825212725/http://www.canada.com/news/Wife+Canadian+victim+critical+Ground+Zero+mosque+plans/3410249/story.html|accessdate=January 2, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ===Muslims=== | |||
| The building of the mosque near Ground Zero has been criticized by some Muslims. | |||
| The ] does not directly oppose the building of a mosque near ground zero but views that the sentiments of non-Muslims should not be unduly hurt. They state that there are other places where mosques can be built and they do not see why that particular location has been chosen.<ref name="movemosque"/> The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, ] in London, stated that: <blockquote>If a mosque is built at the proposed site, then the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would like to see churches, synagogues, Hindu places of worship and places of worship of all other religions also built near Ground Zero. That would be a good example of how from an act of evil and terror has emerged unity and peace.<ref name="movemosque">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/23/michael-goodwin-ground-zero-mosque-obama-pelosi-rima-fakih-muslims-howard-dean|title= Good News -- The 'Move the Mosque' Movement Is Growing|date=August 23, 2010|accessdate=September 12, 2010}}/</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2LAzT6FJs0|title=The Holy Qur'an:the Truth Revealed Part 2|accessdate=September 12, 2010}}</ref> </blockquote> | |||
| Muslim ]<ref>{{cite journal|author=Stephen Schwartz |title=Trotskycons? |url=http://nationalreview.com/comment/comment-schwartz061103.asp |date=June 11, 2003 | magazine =National Review|separator=,|postscript=|accessdate=August 25, 2010}}</ref> journalist ], Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Islamic Pluralism, said that building the mosque two blocks from ] is inconsistent with the ] of simplicity of faith and sensitivity towards others and disregards the security of American Muslims.<ref name="boston2"/> He also criticized what he termed Abdul Rauf's radical and suspect associations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.meforum.org/2698/john-esposito-islamophobia-ground-zero-mosque |author=Stephen Schwartz |title=John Esposito, Islamophobia, and the Ground Zero Mosque |magazine=Middle East Forum |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 15, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Another founding member of the Center for Islamic Pluralism, Zuhdi Jasser, who is also the founder of the ], a group of Muslim professionals in the Phoenix Valley of Arizona, strongly opposed the mosque, saying: <blockquote>For us, a mosque was always a place to pray...not a way to make an ostentatious architectural statement. ''Ground Zero'' shouldn't be about promoting Islam. It's the place where war was declared on us as Americans."<ref name="boston2"/></blockquote> | |||
| He in addition said: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| American freedom of religion is a right, but … it is not right to make one's religion a global political statement with a towering Islamic edifice that casts a shadow over the memorials of Ground Zero. … Islamists in 'moderate' disguise are still Islamists. In their own more subtle ways, the WTC mosque organizers end up serving the same aims (as) separatist and supremacist wings of political Islam. | |||
| <ref>{{cite news|title=Muslim Scholar: Don't Build Islamic Center |author= |publisher=CBS News |date=September 11, 2010 |url=http://www.insideedition.com/news/4904/miss-usa-weighs-in-on-mosque-controversy.aspx |accessdate=}}</ref> | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| Neda Bolourchi, a Muslim whose mother died in 9/11, said: "I fear it would become a symbol of victory for militant Muslims around the world."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/06/AR2010080603006.html |author=Neda Bolourchi |title=A Muslim Victim of 9/11: 'Build your Mosque Somewhere Else' |work=The Washington Post |date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 7, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Authors ] and ], board members of the ], said: <blockquote>New York currently boasts at least 30 mosques so it's not as if there is pressing need to find space for worshipers. e Muslims know ... mosque is meant to be a deliberate provocation to thumb our noses at the infidel. The proposal has been made in bad faith, ... as '']'', meaning "mischief-making" that is clearly forbidden in the Koran.... As Muslims we are dismayed that our co-religionists have such little consideration for their fellow citizens, and wish to rub salt in their wounds and pretend they are applying a balm to sooth the pain.<ref>{{cite news|author=Raheel Raza and Tarek Fatah|url=http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Mischief+Manhattan/3370303/story.html |title=Mischief in Manhattan |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=August 9, 2010|archivedate=August 18, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100818091927/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Mischief+Manhattan/3370303/story.html|accessdate=January 2, 2012}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ], Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at ], while noting that blaming all Muslims for 9/11 was "ridiculous", said:<blockquote> I don't think the Muslim leadership has fully appreciated the impact of 9/11 on America. They assume Americans have forgotten 9/11 and even, in a profound way, forgiven 9/11, and that has not happened. The wounds remain largely open and when wounds are raw, an episode like constructing a house of worship – even one protected by the Constitution, protected by law – becomes like salt in the wounds.<ref name="autogenerated6">{{cite news|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/05/u-s-muslims-underestimate-911-effect-muslim-thinker-warns/ |title=U.S. Muslims underestimate 9/11 effect, Muslim thinker warns |publisher=CNN |date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, general manager of ] television, also criticized the project in a column titled "A House of Worship or a Symbol of Destruction?" in the Arab daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat, saying: | |||
| <blockquote>Muslims do not aspire for a mosque next to the September 11 cemetery...the mosque is not an issue for Muslims, and they have not heard of it until the shouting became loud between the supporters and the objectors, which is mostly an argument between non-Muslim US citizens! <ref>{{cite web|author=Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid|url=http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=2&id=21980 |title=A House of Worship or a Symbol of Destruction?|work=] |date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref><ref name="csmonitor.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2010/0818/Ground-Zero-mosque-debate-swirls-in-world-capitals |title=Ground Zero mosque debate swirls in world capitals |work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=August 18, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ], the first Muslim-American crowned ] as ], opposed the mosque on the grounds of it being insensitive to families of 9/11 victims, telling '']'': | |||
| <blockquote>I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on the constitutional rights of freedom of religion. it shouldn't be so close to the World Trade Center. We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Miss USA Weighs in on Mosque Controversy |author= |work=Inside Edition |date=August 20, 2010 |url=http://www.insideedition.com/news/4904/miss-usa-weighs-in-on-mosque-controversy.aspx |accessdate=}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ===Politicians=== | |||
| A number of American politicians spoke out against the Park51 project:. | |||
| Among them have been Republicans Senator ] (AZ, 2008 presidential nominee; "would harm relations, rather than help");<ref>{{cite news|title=Three Senators Oppose Ground Zero Mosque |author=Daniel Halper |url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/senators-isakson-snowe-mccain-ground-zero-mosque-%E2%80%98insensitive%E2%80%99 |magazine=Weekly Standard |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 12, 2010}}</ref> ] (AK, 2008 vice presidential nominee; posted to microblogging site Twitter, "Ground Zero Mosque supporters: doesn't it stab you in the heart, as it does ours throughout the heartland? Peaceful Muslims, pls refudiate" ('']''));<ref>{{cite news|title=Sarah Palin 'Refudiates' Ground Zero Mosque |author=Joel Siegel |work=ABC News |date=July 19, 2010 |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/sarah-palin-takes-twitter-oppose-ground-mosque/story?id=11194148 |accessdate=July 31, 2010}}</ref> ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0810/2012ers_on_the_mosque.html?showall|title=2012ers on the mosque|date=August 10, 2010|publisher=Politico|author=Smith, Ben|accessdate=September 20, 2012}}</ref> (former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate), Senator Johnny Isakson (GA; "could be totally insensitive"), Senator Olympia Snowe (Maine; "insensitive to the families"), Idaho Senators ]<ref>{{cite news|title=Risch and Simpson oppose Ground Zero mosque, but won't press for federal action |author=Dustin Hurst |url=http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/risch-and-simpson-oppose-ground-zero-mosque-but-won%E2%80%99t-press-for-federal-action/ |work=Idaho Reporter |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 12, 2010}}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite news|author=Dustin Hurst |url=http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/minnick-and-crapo-too-oppose-ground-zero-mosque/ |title=Minnick and Crapo, too, oppose federal intervention into Ground Zero mosque issue|work=Idaho Reporter |date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref> (not "proper"), Idaho Congressman ] ("inappropriate and insensitive"), Minnesota Governor ],<ref name="startribune1">{{cite news|author=Jeremy Herb |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/100164504.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo8cyaiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU |title=Pawlenty, Ellison wade into growing mosque debate |work=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 7, 2010}}</ref> and North Carolina congressional candidate ] ("It is about ... territorial conquest. This mosque is a Martyr-Marker honoring the terrorists"). | |||
| Former House Speaker Republican ] said: "It's not about religion and is clearly an aggressive act that is offensive."<ref name="nytimes4"/> Commenting on the project's name, he wrote: | |||
| <blockquote>"Cordoba House" is a deliberately insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain – the ], who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards by transforming a church there into the ]... every Islamist in the world recognizes Cordoba as a symbol of Islamic conquest.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/07/29/james-pinkerton-world-trade-centre-arizona-alqaeda-wikileaks-ground-zero-mosque/ |title=America Needs Willpower – And the Right Leaders |publisher=Fox News |author=James P. Pinkerton |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/08/ground-zero_mosque |title=The "ground-zero mosque": Radicals and demagogues |work=The Economist |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref></blockquote><ref name=NYDlyNews20100722>{{cite news|title=Newt Gingrich comes out against planned Cordoba House mosque near Ground Zero |author=Joe Tacopino |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=July 22, 2010 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local//2010/07/22/2010-07-22_newt_gingrich_comes_out_against_planned_cordoba_house_mosque_near_ground_zero.html |accessdate=July 31, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Gingrich also decried the proposed Islamic center as a symbol of Muslim "triumphalism", and said that building the mosque near the site of the 9/11 attacks "would be like putting a Nazi sign next to the Holocaust Museum".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/us/politics/15reaction.html |title=3 Republicans Criticize Obama's Endorsement of Mosque |work=The New York Times |author=Edward Wyatt |date=August 14, 2010 |accessdate=August 16, 2010}}</ref> Commenting on what Gingrich said, ''The Economist'' claimed that "Like Mr bin Laden, Mr Gingrich is apparently still relitigating the victories and defeats of religious wars fought in Europe and the Middle East centuries ago. He should rejoin the modern world, before he does real harm."<ref name="Lexington-5Aug" /> | |||
| New York Republicans who criticized the plan included former New York City mayor ] (a "desecration; Nobody would allow something like that at Pearl Harbor ... Let's have some respect for who died there and why they died there."), former NY Governor ], Congressman ] (R-N.Y.; ranking Republican on the ]; "offensive to so many people"), and former NY Congressman and current NY gubernatorial candidate ].<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref name="cnsnews1"/><ref name="voanews1"/><ref name="foxnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/02/new-york-mosque-controversy-fires-national-campaign/|author=James Rosen |title=New York Mosque Controversy Fires Up National Campaign |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|author=Tamer El-Ghobashy |url=http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2010/07/27/as-ramadan-nears-nypd-monitors-anti-muslim-harassment/ |title=Amid Ground Zero Mosque Debate, NYPD Alert for Security During Ramadan |work=The Wall Street Journal|date=July 27, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bbd29578-9f24-11df-8732-00144feabdc0.html |title= 'Ground Zero' mosque moves forward |work=]|date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Planned Sign of Tolerance Bringing Division Instead |author=Javier C. Hernandez |work=The New York Times |date=July 13, 2010 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/14/nyregion/14center.html |accessdate=July 31, 2010}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news|author=Jacob Gershman |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704702304575403853604214846.html? |title=Sides Dig in Over Ground Zero Mosque |work=The Wall Street Journal |date= August 2, 2010|accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/blogs/adam_dickters_continuum/mosque_hysteria |title=Mosque Hysteria |work=The Jewish Week |date= |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref> NY gubernatorial candidate ] (R) noted: "The vast majority of New Yorkers and Americans have rejected their idea. If a bridge was their intent, why jam it down our throats? Why does it have to be right there?"; he said that if he were elected Governor of New York, he would use the power of ] to stop construction of the mosque, and instead build a war memorial in its place.<ref name=NYDlyNews20100722 /><ref>{{cite news|title=Mosque on solid legal ground |author=Casey Seiler |url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Mosque-on-solid-legal-ground-591663.php |work=Times Union|location=Albany |date=July 27, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/carl-paladino-advertises-on-gr.html |title=Carl Paladino Advertises On Ground Zero Mosque Issue |author=Celeste Katz |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/mixed-mosque-reactions-george.html |title=Mixed Mosque Reactions: George Pataki, Rick Lazio, Al D'Amato and Carl Paladino |author=Celeste Katz |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jonathan Mann |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/06/mann.mosque.ground.zero/ |title=Manhattan mosque plan stokes controversy |publisher=CNN |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| New York Republican Congressional candidate ] also objected. He said that the ], the only religious structure destroyed in the 9/11 attacks, should be rebuilt before moving forward on building a mosque in the area, and called for an investigation into the mosque's financing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/August/Church-Destroyed-on-911-Still-in-Shambles|title=Church Destroyed on 9/11 Still in Shambles|publisher=CBN News |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://usa.greekreporter.com/2010/08/03/george-demos-on-rebuilding-of-st-nicholas-in-manhattan/ |title=George Demos Tells Fox News We Must Rebuild St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero |publisher=USA.GreekReporter.com |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/07/gop-hopeful-george-demos-rebui.html |title=GOP Hopeful George Demos: Rebuild Church At Ground Zero, Not Mosque |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=July 21, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| New York City Council Member ] became the first elected official in New York City to publicly criticize the project, "If we want a nation of peace," said city councilman Dan Halloran, whose cousin died on 9/11, "then peace comes with understanding. And they need to understand that this is sacred ground to New Yorkers." <ref>{{cite journal|author=Katrina Trinko|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/244441/we-havent-forgotten-katrina-trinko |title=We Haven't Forgotten |magazine=National Review|date=August 22, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100825043137/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/244441/we-havent-forgotten-katrina-trinko |archivedate=August 25, 2010}}</ref> He went on to add, "New York City is the greatest city in the world", a place of religious tolerance, but that tolerance "starts when you say 'I understand your pain, and I am not going to inflict more on you.{{'"}} Halloran described Ground Zero as "sacred ground to New Yorkers".{{Citation needed|date=August 2013}} | |||
| Paul Sipos, a member of NYC Community Board 1, said: <blockquote>If the Japanese decided to open a cultural center across from ], that would be insensitive. If the Germans opened a Bach choral society across from ], even after all these years, that would be an insensitive setting. I have absolutely nothing against Islam. I just think: Why there?<ref name="heraldsun1">{{cite news|author=Staff writers |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/anger-over-mosque-plan-for-ground-zero/story-e6frf7jx-1225866534163 |title=Anger over mosque plan for Ground Zero |work=Herald Sun|location=Melbourne|date=May 14, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| A Republican ], the National Republican Trust Political Action Committee, a Washington-based organization, created a television commercial attacking the proposal, saying "we Americans will be heard".<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref name="foxnews1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128544392 |title=Islamic Center Near Ground Zero Sparks Anger |publisher=NPR |date=July 15, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Slezak|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/07/15/ground-zero-mosque-ad-rejected-cbs-nbc/ |title='Kill the Ground Zero Mosque' ad rejected by CBS, NBC: Was it the right decision? |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 15, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democratic Independent Connecticut Senator ] indicated that he felt the project should be halted, pending further evaluation of its impact on the families and friends of 9/11 victims, project's sponsors' intentions, and their sources of funding.<ref name="autogenerated3"/> | |||
| New York Democratic Assemblyman of District 92 and Attorney-General-candidate ] said it was: "offensive to me...raises concerns and bad memories, and needs to be dealt with on a human level. The murder wasn't an Islamic crime, but it was a crime committed in the name of Islam by people most Muslims reject."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/brodsky-remains-personally-opposed-ground-zero-mosque |author=David Freedlander |title=Brodsky Remains (Personally) Opposed To Ground Zero Mosque |work=The New York Observer |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Senate Majority Leader Democrat ] of Nevada said "it is time to bring people together, not a time for polarization and I think it would be better off for everyone if it were built somewhere else."<ref>{{cite web|home=YouTube|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cfVWxZ4eGU |title=Harry Reid Discusses Ground Zero Mosque Issue |date= |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Jim Manley, a spokesperson for Reid earlier said, "The First Amendment protects freedom of religion... Senator Reid respects that, but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else." <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=democrats-split-over-ground-zero-mosque-2010-08-17 |title=Democrats split over ground zero mosque |work=Hürriyet Daily News|date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democratic National Committee chairman, former Democratic Presidential Candidate, and 79th Governor of Vermont ] calls the mosque "a real affront to people who lost their lives" and wrote "the builders have to be willing to go beyond what is their right and be willing to talk about feelings whether the feelings are 'justified' or not." Dean also argues that most people opposed "are not right-wing hate mongers".<ref>{{cite news|author=Brian Montopoli |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20014240-503544.html |title=Howard Dean on Mosque Comments: "I am Not Going to Back Off|publisher=CBS News |date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democratic Representative Mike McMahon of New York's 13 District provided a written statement which includes: "We have seen very clearly in the past weeks that building a mosque two blocks from ground zero will not promote necessary interfaith dialogue, but will continue to fracture the faiths and citizens of our city and this country. As such, I am opposed to the construction of the Cordoba Center at the currently-proposed location and urge all parties to work with local community leaders to find a more appropriate site." <ref>{{cite news|author=Maggie Haberman |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/maggiehaberman/0810/NY_members_in_swing_districts_coming_out_against_mosque_.html |title=NY members in swing districts coming out against mosque |work=Politico |date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democratic Representative Steve Israel of the 2nd District in New York said in Newsday, "While they have a constitutional right to build the mosque, it would be better if they had demonstrated more sensitivity to the families of 9/11 victims. I urge them to do so before proceeding further."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/where-li-pols-stand-on-the-ground-zero-mosque-1.2215347 |title=Where LI pols stand on the Ground Zero mosque |work=Newsday|date=August 16, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democratic Representative Tim Bishop of New Yorks 1st District also disagrees with the location, "As a New Yorker, I believe Ground Zero is sacred ground and should unite us. If the group seeking to build the mosque is sincere in its efforts to bring people together, I would urge them to seek an alternative location which is less divisive. I dispute the wisdom of building at that location, not the constitutional right."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/droves-democratic-new-york-congressman-oppose-ground-zero-mosque |title=Democratic New York Congressmen Oppose Ground Zero Mosque |work=The Weekly Standard |date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Democrat John Hall of northern New York's 19th District was also quoted as being against the chosen location, "I think honoring those killed on Sept. 11 and showing sensitivity to their families, it would be best if the center were built at a different location"<ref>{{cite news|author=Beth Fouhy |url=http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/71309 |title=Mosque Debate Divides Democrats, Especially in New York |publisher=CNS News |date=August 19, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===Organizations=== | |||
| New York City fireman Tim Brown opposed the mosque, saying: "A mosque ... that's using foreign money from countries with '']'' law is unacceptable, especially in this neighborhood". Brown allied with the ] (ACLJ), a conservative law firm founded by ] that champions the rights of Christians to build and worship freely.<ref name="chron1">{{cite news|author=Nicole Neroulias |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/7131001.html |title=Quietly, another mosque operates in the shadow of Ground Zero |work=Houston Chronicle |date=July 29, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> Brown sought to pressure Abdul Rauf to disclose fully the project's funding sources.<ref name="chron1"/> ], General Counsel of the ] (not to be confused with the ]), observed: "The Cordoba Mosque was the third largest mosque complex in the world ... built on the site of a former Christian church, to commemorate the Muslim conquest of Spain. This perpetuated a cultural Muslim practice of building mosques on the sites of historic conquests."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/04/peter-ferrara-muslim-mosque-manhattan-constitution-saudi-arabia-synagogues/ |title=The Proposed New York Mosque and the Constitution |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| More than 20,000 people signed an online petition for the Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque, and unsuccessfully lobbied the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission to give the location landmark status, which would have added a major hurdle to construction.<ref name="chron1"/> | |||
| ], President of the ]'s ], said "putting a mosque ... very close to Ground Zero is unacceptable.... Even though the vast majority of Muslims ... condemned their actions on Sept. 11, 2001, it still remains a fact that the people who perpetrated the 9/11 attack were Muslims and proclaimed they were doing what they were doing in the name of Islam."<ref>{{cite news|author=Richard Land |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/richard_land/2010/07/a_mosque_at_ground_zero_is_inappropriate_and_counterproductive.html |title=On Faith Panelists Blog: A mosque near Ground Zero is unacceptable |work=The Washington Post |date= |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> Bill Rench, pastor of Calvary ] which is located near the proposed mosque site, also spoke out against its construction.<ref>, '']'', July 20, 2010. Retrieved August 4, 2010.</ref> | |||
| The ] opposes the construction of Park51 due to its location, and questions about Abdul Rauf.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.zoa.org/sitedocuments/pressrelease_view.asp?pressreleaseID=1919 |publisher=Zionist Organization of America |title=ZOA: Don't Increase Pain To Families Of 9/11 Victims Of Islamist Terror By Building Mosque Led By Extremist, Anti-U.S., Pro-Hamas Imam |date=August 10, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010 }}</ref> The ] also opposes the location of the planned Park51. (] noted that the Center itself was once accused of intolerance when it built a museum on land that was once a ], after gaining permission from Israeli courts).<ref>{{cite news|author=Adam Dickter |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/breaking_news/wiesenthal_center_opposes_ground_zero_mosque |title=Wiesenthal Center Opposes Ground Zero Mosque |work=The Jewish Week |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Speaking in his capacity as a "spokesperson for the conservative ] political movement", ] called it a monument to the terror attacks.<ref name="boston1">{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/05/25/nyc_community_board_oks_ground_zero_mosque_plans/ |title=NYC community board OKs ground zero mosque plans |work=The Boston Globe |date= May 25, 2010|accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> He characterized the proposed religious facilities at the site as a place which would be used for "terrorists to worship their monkey god".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-50328020100722 |title=Interview - NY imam plans 'Muslim Y', not Ground Zero mosque |home=] |date=July 22, 2010 |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/19/2010-05-19_tea_party_leader_mark_williams_says_muslims_worship_a_monkey_god_blasts_ground_z.html |title=Tea Party leader Mark Williams says Muslims worship a 'monkey god', blasts Ground Zero mosque |author=Bill Hutchinson |home=] |date=May 19, 2010 |accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref> Williams would be expelled from the Tea Party two months after making this remark, for racially inflammatory remarks regarding a later and unrelated controversy.<ref>{{Cite news|title= Is Canada's Reform Party of the 1990s a Tea Party model?|author= Tom Cohen|agency= ]|date= August 25, 2010 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/25/tea.party.canada.reformers/?hpt=C2|accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url= http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/07/18/2010-07-18_tea_party_express_leader_mark_williams_expelled_over_colored_people_letter.html |title=Tea Party Express leader Mark Williams kicked out over 'Colored People' letter|author= Helen Kennedy|agency= ]|date= July 18, 2010|accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The ] also held a protest against the building of Park51.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-09-09-kidd09_ST_N.htm | work=USA Today | first=Thomas S. | last=Kidd | title=Whether Park 51 or burning Qurans, liberty is not propriety | date=September 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===Others=== | |||
| Writing in the ], political blogger ] stated his opposition to the construction of any Islamist institution anywhere<ref name=Pipes>{{Citation | |||
| | last = Pipes | |||
| | first = Daniel | |||
| | title = Americans Wake up to Islamism | |||
| | newspaper = National Review | |||
| | date = September 7, 2010 | |||
| | url = http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/245737/americans-wake-islamism-daniel-pipes | |||
| | accessdate = December 15, 2010}}</ref> although he did not object to a truly moderate Muslim institution in proximity to Ground Zero.<ref name=Pipes/> | |||
| Notable British comedian and internet personality ] criticized the construction of Park51 in a video entitled "No mosque at Ground Zero"<ref>{{cite web|last=Condell|first=Pat|title=No mosque at Ground Zero|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjS0Novt3X4|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> where he claimed that it was representative of Islamic triumphalism and that the United States was soon on the verge of Islamization and have its freedoms trimmed, as Europe has.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| | last = Leiken | |||
| | first = Robert S. | |||
| | title = Why Is This Atheist So Smug? | |||
| | work = Foreign affairs | |||
| | date =July 1, 2005 | |||
| | url = http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/60829/robert-s-leiken/europes-angry-muslims | |||
| | accessdate =February 13, 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Similarly, ] ] also criticized the construction, saying that it could potentially serve as a breeding ground for ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Build the mosque anywhere but Ground Zero |url= http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2010/08/13/2010-08-13_build_it_anywhere_but_here.html#ixzz11h3ylplN|publisher='']''|last=Krauthammer|first=Charles|date=August 12, 2010|accessdate=September 20, 2012}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ==Support== | |||
| ===9/11 families=== | |||
| Some relatives of victims of the 9/11 attacks expressed support for the project. | |||
| Colleen Kelley, who lost her brother William on 9/11, says, the "irony in the debate over the section of the building that would house a mosque is that one might assume that God (the same God to Jews-Christians-Muslims) would be pleased with any type of effort that involves prayer and service to others."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.citylimits.org/conversations/111/mosque-debate-religious-intolerance |title=Not All 9-11 Families Oppose The Mosque | date=August 18, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Orlando Rodriguez and Phyllis Schaefer Rodriguez, whose son died in the attack, say they "support the building of the Islamic community center in lower Manhattan" and "feel that it would honor our son and other victims".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inoursonsname.com/islamiccenter.html |title=Islamic center meant to foster peace, understanding | date=August 17, 2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6ApQC0D2v|archivedate=September 20, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| Herb Ouida, whose son Todd died, said: "To say that we're going to condemn a religion and castigate a billion people in the world because they're Muslims, to say that they shouldn't have the ability to pray near the World Trade Center – I don't think that's going to bring people together and cross the divide."<ref name="aolnews1">{{cite web|author=Mara Gay |url=http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/9-11-families-speak-out-on-ground-zero-muslim-center/19581141 |title=9/11 Victims' Families Have Mixed Reactions to Ground Zero Muslim Center |publisher=] |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 16, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Marvin Bethea, a former EMS worker who was forced to retire in 2004 because of breathing problems caused by working at the 9/11 site, believes racism is a factor in the controversy, He said "even though my life has changed, I don't hate the Muslims. Especially being a black man, I know what it's like to be discriminated against. I've lived with that."<ref name="aolnews1" /> | |||
| Donna O'Connor, whose pregnant daughter died on 9/11, expressed the opinion that "This building will serve as an emblem for the rest of the world that Americans ... recognize that the evil acts of a few must never damn the innocent."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/aug/06/ed-damaj06-ar-414971/ |title=Damaj: To Build or Not to Build a New Mosque in New York |author= M. Imad Damaj |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 16, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ], former ] in the George W. Bush administration, whose wife, television commentator ], died in the plane that crashed into ], has expressed support for the rights of the Park51 organizers to construct the new site. In remarks on ], Olson said "we don't want to turn an act of hate against us by extremists into an act of intolerance for people of religious faith."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2010/08/tedolsonmosque.html/ |title=Ted Olson Joins NYC Mosque Debate |author= Brian Baxter |work=The AmLaw Daily |date=August 18, 2010|separator=,|postscript=|accessdate=August 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ted Olson, Former Bush Solicitor General And Husband Of 9/11 Victim, Backs Obama On 'Ground Zero Mosque'|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/18/liz-cheneys-keep-america-_n_686697.html|date=August 18, 2010|author=Nick Wing|work=]|separator=,|postscript=|accessdate=August 20, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Bruce Wallace, whose nephew died as he rushed in to help the victims, says "the media seems eager to trumpet the feelings of those hurt by the idea of the center. They mostly ignore my feelings and those, like me, who feel the center is an important step for Americans."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://121contact.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/08/aug-8-2010-ground-zero-mosque-and-media-distortion-of-feelings.html |title='Ground Zero Mosque' and the media's distortion of feelings | date=August 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Judith Keane, whose husband was killed on 9/11, says "To punish a group of Americans who live in peace for the acts of a few is wrong. The worst atrocities in history found their base in fear of those who were different."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/letters/hc-le-keane-mosque-0817-20100817,0,7313519.story |title=Fear Is No Reason To Prohibit Islamic Culture Center | date=August 17, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Talat Hamdani, whose son was a first responder in the rescue effort and died in 9/11, co-wrote an article supporting the center in the interest of pluralism.<ref name="newsweek1"/> She has also criticized the argument about sensitivity arguing that it was more about the legality of the situation and "our rights as Americans. We are protected under the Constitution. There is freedom of religion." Implying that the ban could be the thin edge of the wedge she said "You know, if it's one faith today, it's going to be another faith tomorrow. That is scary. And to scapegoat the Muslims for the acts of a foreign terrorist, that is – that is hatred." She went on "... if that argument is valid, then, by that token, ]'s actions also makes all Christians terrorists. So, that is wrong."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/18/as_gop_and_some_top_dems |title=As GOP and Some Top Dems Unite in Opposing NY Islamic Community Center, a Roundtable Discussion with Mother of 9/11 Victim, Rabbi, Muslim Lawmaker and Islamic Scholar |home=Democracynow.org |date= |accessdate=August 30, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The anti-war group ], released a statement in support of the center, saying "we believe that welcoming the Center, which is intended to promote interfaith tolerance and respect, is consistent with fundamental American values of freedom and justice for all," adding it will be "an emblem for the rest of the world that Americans stand against violence, intolerance, and overt acts of racism and that we recognize that the evil acts of a few must never damn the innocent".<ref name="boston3" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/article.php?id=977 |title=9/11 Families Group Announces Support for Islamic Cultural Center in Lower Manhattan|date=May 20, 2010|home=]|accessdate=May 20, 2010|postscript=}}</ref> | |||
| Terry Rockefeller, whose sister was killed, said: "this doesn't insult her at all. This celebrates the city she loved living in. It is what makes America what we are."<ref name="boston3" /> | |||
| Sue Rosenblum, of Coral Springs, Florida, whose son Josh was killed in the WTC attacks on 9/11, said in reference to the planned Mosque: "What are we teaching if we say you can't build here? That it's OK to hate? This is a country based on freedom of religion."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/columnists/fl-ground-zero-mosque-mayocol-b08221020100821,0,6405047.column |title=Ground zero mosque triggers surprising views across South Florida|work=The Sun-Sentinel|location=Fort Lauderdale|date=August 21, 2010 |accessdate=August 21, 2010 |author=Michael Mayo}}</ref> | |||
| ===Politicians=== | |||
| {{Wikinews|US president Barack Obama backs mosque near Ground Zero site}} | |||
| On August 13, 2010, in a speech at the annual White House ] dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of ], President ] acknowledged the right of Muslims to build the Islamic center. Obama said, "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."<ref>{{cite news|author=Dan Gilgoff |publisher=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/13/obama.islamic.center.support/index.html#fbid=qlMj9FlaYim&wom=false |title=Obama throws support behind controversial Islamic center |date=August 13, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/politics/2012618969_apusobamamosquetext.html |title=Obama's comments on mosque plans near ground zero |work=Seattle Times|date=August 13, 2010 |agency=AP|accessdate=September 20, 2012}}</ref> Obama clarified the next day that he was only speaking of legal rights and "was not commenting... on the ''wisdom'' of making the decision to put a mosque there".<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/14/obama.islamic.center/index.html | publisher=CNN | title=Obama 'not commenting on wisdom' of controversial Islamic center | date=August 15, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| New York Mayor ] strongly endorsed the project, saying that Ground Zero was a "very appropriate place" for a mosque, because it "tells the world" that the U.S. has freedom of religion for everyone.<ref>{{cite news|author=Dorothy Rabinowitz |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703545604575407160266158170.html |title=Liberal Piety and the Memory of 9/11; The enlightened class can't understand why the public is uneasy about the Ground Zero mosque |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> Responding to opposition, he said: <blockquote>The government should never, never be in the business of telling people how they should pray, or where they can pray. We want to make sure that everybody from around the world feels comfortable coming here, living here, and praying the way they want to pray.<ref name="nyt-2010-07-13"/><ref name="chron1"/></blockquote> | |||
| "Democracy is stronger than this," he added.<ref>{{cite news|author=Mike Vilensky |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/07/muslim_center_near_ground_zero.html?f=most-commented-24h-5 |title=Ground Zero Mosque an Increasingly Divisive Political Issue |work=New York|date=July 31, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref> Remarking on opposition to the mosques' location, he said: "To cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists. We should not stand for that."<ref>{{cite news|author=David Seifman|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/mayor_bloomberg_said_ground_zero_mDsDf21UzAjgmeU7Lb0W7J |title=Mayor Bloomberg says Ground Zero mosque opponents should be 'ashamed' of themselves |work=New York Post |date=August 2, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref> Responding to a question about the pain the mosque plan is causing some family members, he said: | |||
| <blockquote>I don't see an enormous number of people. I was at a fundraiser ... maybe 50 ... people who had lost members. 100% in that room kept saying, 'please keep it up, keep it up'.... our relatives would have wanted this country, and this city, to follow and actually practice what we preach.<ref name="nydailynews3"/></blockquote> | |||
| Bloomberg was asked if he was satisfied that "he is indeed a man of peace given his background where he's supposedly supported Hamas, blamed the U.S. for 9/11 attacks?" The mayor responded: "My job is not to vet clergy in this city.... Everybody has a right to their opinions. You don't have to worship there.... this country is not built around ... only those ... clergy people that we agree with..... It's built around freedom. That's the wonderful thing about the First Amendment – you can say anything you want."<ref name="nydailynews3">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/08/mayor-bloomberg-asking-mosque.html |title=Mayor Bloomberg: Asking Mosque Developers To Move Project "Would Be Handing The Terrorists A Victory" |author=Celeste Katz |work=Daily News|location=New York|date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Community Board 1 Financial Committee Chairman Edward "Ro" Sheffe opined: "it will be a wonderful asset to the community."<ref name="nydailynews2"/><ref name="guardian1"/> New York City Councilwoman ] said: "The center is something the community needs".<ref name="crainsnewyork1">{{cite news|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100725/REAL_ESTATE/100729901 |title=Mosque madness a matter of perspective; Locals welcome $100M project, but others side with Palin to say no way |author=Amanda Fung |work=Crain's New York Business |date=July 25, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Additional New York politicians supported the proposal. They included ] ] ("I'll do everything I can to make sure this mosque does get opened"), U.S. Representative ] ("the government has no business deciding"), NY State Senator ], NYC Comptroller ], NYC Council Speaker ], and ] ].<ref name="nytimes2"/><ref name="tribecatrib1"/><ref name="boston1"/><ref name="montrealgazette1">{{cite web|author=AFP |url=http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/board+approves+Ground+Zero+mosque/3075458/story.html |title=NYC board approves Ground Zero mosque |location=Montreal|work=The Gazette|date=May 27, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Adam Dickter |url=http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/short_takes/mosque_wars_hit_new_york_governor's_race |title=Mosque Wars Hit New York Governor's Race |work=The Jewish Week |date=July 13, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Robert Reich |url=http://www.salon.com/news/ground_zero_mosque/?story=/politics/war_room/2010/08/05/nadler_defends_the_mosque |title=Nadler: Attacks on mosque "shameful and divisive" – Ground Zero Mosque |work=Salon|date=August 5, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/de-blasio-currently-okay-mosque |title=De Blasio Is Currently Okay With the Mosque |author=Reid Pillifant |work=The New York Observer |date=August 9, 2010 |accessdate=August 10, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Nadler remarked that "a mosque in the Pentagon ... hasn't drawn any criticism", despite the Pentagon also being a target of the 9/11 attacks.<ref name="electionissue">{{cite news|title=Republicans Seek to Make Ground Zero Mosque an Issue in November Elections |author=William McQuillan |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-15/republicans-seek-to-make-ground-zero-mosque-an-issue-in-november-elections.html/ |publisher=Bloomberg |date=August 15, 2010 |accessdate=August 15, 2010}}</ref> What is referred to as the "Pentagon mosque" is, more precisely, a non-denominational chapel which was built and dedicated in 2002 in honor of Pentagon employees and passengers of American Airlines Flight 77 who died in the September 11 attack.<ref name="built">{{cite news|title=Pentagon opens 9-11 Memorial Chapel |url=http://www.militaryinfo.com/news_story.cfm?textnewsid=75|publisher=militaryinfo |date=September 18, 2002 |accessdate=August 18, 2010}}</ref> Daily Muslim prayer sessions are held there weekday afternoons, and weekly Muslim services are led by an imam from a local mosque every Friday, which means the room can be considered a ''mussallaah'', a sacred space where Muslims "consistently perform their mid-day prayer when they do not have access to a mosque".<ref name="PolitiFactmussallaah">{{cite news|title=PolitiFact: Kendrick Meek: 'There's a mosque at the Pentagon'|url=http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/aug/19/kendrick-meek/kendrick-meek-theres-mosque-pentagon/|date=August 15, 2010|work=PolitiFact|accessdate=August 24, 2010}}</ref> This Muslim use of the Pentagon facility has drawn no complaints.<ref name=APFactCheck>{{cite news|title=Fact Check: Islam already lives near ground zero|url=http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2010/08/18/4922332-fact-check-islam-already-lives-near-ground-zero|date=August 18, 2010|author=Calvin Woodward|work=Newsvine|agency=Associated Press|accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref><ref name="mosquecontroversy">{{cite news|title=Mosque Controversy Skips Pentagon: Muslims Gather in Daily Prayer at 9/11 Crash Site |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mosque-controversy-skips-pentagon-muslims-gather-911-crash/story?id=11417673 |publisher=ABC News |date=August 17, 2010 |accessdate=August 18, 2010}}</ref><ref name="imamissue">{{cite news|title=Muslims pray at Pentagon's Sept. 11 crash site |url=http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100818/world/us_pentagon_muslims |agency=Associated Press |date=August 18, 2010 |accessdate=August 19, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ], a ] ] from ], voiced support of the project on religious freedom grounds. Hatch is a Mormon and cited an instance where a neighborhood tried to prevent a ] from being built.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/09/01/hatch_backs_muslims_on_planned_nyc_mosque/|title=Hatch backs Muslims on planned NYC mosque|work=The Boston Globe|date=September 1, 2010|accessdate=March 1, 2011|first=Lisa|last=Wangsness}}</ref> | |||
| Congressman ] (R-Tex.) published a statement of support<ref>{{cite news|author=Ron Paul |title=Sunshine Patriots Stop Your Demagogy About the NYC Mosque|date=August 20, 2010}}</ref> on August 20, 2010 to his campaign website defending the Cordoba House's planned Islamic community center. Congressman Paul attributed the controversy over the community center to Islamophobia and neo-conservatives who disregard their commitment to the First Amendment and property rights to agitate voters. | |||
| Representative ], the U.S.'s first Muslim congressman, supported the mosque's location on the basis of the First Amendment and religious tolerance, and Massachusetts Governor ] also voiced support, saying: "The sooner we separate the peaceful teaching of Islam from the behavior of terrorists, the better for all of us."<ref name="startribune1"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/08/04/patrick_indicates_support_for_ground_zero_mosque/ |title=Mass. Gov. declares support for ground zero mosque |author=Glen Johnson |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 4, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ], a former advisor to Republican President ], criticized Republican opposition to the project: "And here we are, reinforcing ]'s message that we're at war with Muslims."<ref>{{cite web|author=Faiz Shakir| title = Former Bush Adviser Mark McKinnon Rips GOP's Stance On Mosque: 'We're Reinforcing Al Qaeda's Message' | home = Center for American Progress| date = August 16, 2010| url =http://thinkprogress.org/2010/08/16/mckinnon-al-qaedas-message | accessdate = }}</ref> Another former Bush aide, speechwriter and policy advisor ], agreed that prohibiting the mosque would "undermine the war on terrorism": | |||
| <blockquote>The militants hope, above all else, to provoke conflict between the West and Islam -- to graft their totalitarian political manias onto a broader movement of Muslim solidarity. America hopes to draw a line that isolates the politically violent and those who tolerate political violence -- creating solidarity with Muslim opponents and victims of radicalism.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Gerson| author-link = Michael Gerson| title = Obama's mosque duty| work =The Washington Post| page = A13| date = August 16, 2010| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/15/AR2010081502151_pf.html| accessdate = August 17, 2010}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ], a founding member and leader of ] in the Gaza Strip, said of the planned Cordoba House: "We have to build everywhere," and "In every area we have, (as) Muslim(s), we have to pray, and this mosque is the only site of prayer." Zahar also said "We have to build the mosque, as you are allowed to build the church and Israelis are building their holy places."<ref>{{cite web|author=S.A. Miller and Tom Topousis |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hamas_nod_for_gz_mosque_cSohH9eha8sNZMTDz0VVPI#ixzz0wp6wHSHI |title=Hamas nod for Ground Zero mosque |work=New York Post |date=August 16, 2010 |accessdate=August 17, 2010}}</ref><ref name="ibtimes-2010-08-16">{{cite news|title=Ground Zero mosque row to become muddier as Hamas pitches in with support |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/43647/20100816/ground-zero-mosque-hamas-new-york-post-landmarks-preservation-commission.htm |work=International Business Times |date=August 16, 2010 |author=Jijo Jacob |accessdate=August 18, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Former ] ] also supported Park51, after noting that many Muslims were also killed on September 11. He suggested that the developers could have avoided controversy if they dedicated the center to the Muslim victims of the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill Clinton Endorses Muslim Center Near Ground Zero |url=http://dnainfo.com/20100921/downtown/bill-clinton-endorses-muslim-center-near-ground-zero |work=DNAinfo Beta |date=September 21, 2010 |author=Julie Shapiro |accessdate=September 22, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Former Minnesota Governor ] gave his support to Park51, arguing that the ] allows for a mosque to be built near Ground Zero. Ventura also argued that denying the right for a mosque to be built near Ground Zero would be similar to removing churches from ], where the ] occurred (the deadliest act of terrorism in the United States prior to 9/11), if ], the man who perpetrated the attack, was a Christian. Ventura also demanded that opposition to the Ground Zero Mosque should be ignored because "people need to remember, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights should be written in stone. You cannot subject them to the popularity. They are there to protect unpopular things, like the First Amendment. The First Amendment is to protect unpopular speech simply because popular speech doesn't need to be protected. It's as simple as that. And you can't, you know, bend the Constitution to the blowing winds of whatever polls might say, otherwise it's a worthless, useless document which in many ways they're turning it to that anyway." <ref>{{cite web|title=Transcripts|url=http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1010/15/cnr.08.html|publisher=www.cnn.com|accessdate=18 March 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ===Organizations=== | |||
| ], Communications Director of the ] (CAIR), charged that the controversy was "manufactured" by "bigots".<ref name="autogenerated6"/> He also asserted that only a vocal minority was complaining.<ref name="autogenerated6"/> And ], CAIR's Executive Director, said that the opinion of Republican Congressman Peter King "should not be considered, because his ideas are extreme".<ref name="aawsat1"/> ], '']'' journalist and ] host, also strongly supported the project, and returned a prestigious award he received in 2005 from the Anti-Defamation League, saying he was "personally and deeply saddened" by their opposition towards the subject mosque.<ref name="cnn award"/> He wrote: "...Rauf, is a moderate Muslim clergyman. He has said one or two things about American foreign policy that strike me as overly critical – but it's stuff you could read on '']'' any day. On Islam, his main subject, Abdul Rauf's views are clear: he routinely denounces all terrorism – as he did again last week, publicly."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/06/the-real-ground-zero.html|title = Build the Ground Zero Mosque|date=August 6, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The ] also supported the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mpac.org/article.php?id=1176 |title=MPAC Reps Discuss Islamic Community Center Project Proposed Near Ground Zero in National Media |home=MPAC.org (Muslim Public Affairs Council) |date=July 27, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100803/REAL_ESTATE/100809953/0/REAL_ESTATE |author=Emily Laermer |title=Ground Zero Mosque Plans Move Forward |work=Crain's New York Business |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The ] (ADL), a U.S. ]ish ] group that had spoken out against anti-Muslim bigotry, denounced what it saw as bigoted attacks on the mosque.<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref>{{cite news|author=Susan Jacoby |url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/spirited_atheist/2010/08/ground_zero_mosque_protected_by_first_amendment--but_its_still_salt_in_a_wound.html |title=The Spirited Atheist: Ground Zero mosque protected by First Amendment-but it's still salt in a wound|work=The Washington Post |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 6, 2010}}</ref><ref name="ap-2010-07-30">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Jewish Group Opposes Ground Zero Mosque |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3927915,00.html|date=August 2, 2010 |accessdate=September 19, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Angco7Jh |archivedate=September 19, 2012}}</ref><ref name="csmonitor1">{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0803/Ground-Zero-mosque-clears-hurdle-but-firestorm-far-from-over |title=Ground Zero mosque clears hurdle, but firestorm far from over |author=Ron Scherer |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=August 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name="nytimes6">{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/opinion/l05mosque.html?_r=1 | work=The New York Times | title=The ADL, the Mosque and the Fight Against Bigotry | date=August 4, 2010}}</ref> Its head opined that some of those who oppose the mosque are "bigots", and that the plan's proponents may have every right to build the mosque at that location.<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref name="ap-2010-07-30"/><ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref name="nytimes6"/> Nevertheless, the group recommended selecting a different location,<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Anti-Defamation League|url=http://www.adl.org/PresRele/CvlRt_32/5820_32.htm|title=Statement On Islamic Community Center Near Ground Zero|date=July 28, 2010|accessdate=September 19, 2012}}</ref> and appealed to the builders to consider the sensitivities of the victims' families, saying that building the mosque at that site would unnecessarily cause more pain for families of some victims of 9/11.<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref name="ap-2010-07-30"/><ref name="csmonitor1"/><ref name="nytimes6"/> As a consequence of their statement Fareed Zakaria the winner of the ADL's 2005 Hubert Humphrey First Amendment Freedoms Prize has returned the prize and the prize money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/06/fareed-zakaria-s-letter-to-the-adl.html|title=Fareed Zakaria's Letter to the ADL|work=Newsweek|date=August 6, 2010|accessdate=August 21, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The Jewish political group ] also supported the construction on ] grounds.<ref name="jta-2010-08-03">{{cite news|title=Vote clears way for Ground Zero mosque |url=http://www.jta.org/news/article/2010/08/03/2740330/vote-clears-way-for-ground-zero-mosque |agency=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=August 3, 2010 |accessdate=Aug 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jstreet.org/blog/?p=1177 |title=J Street's Statement on Cordoba House Controversy |home=JStreet.org |date= July 30, 2010|accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The ] and the ] supported it as well, citing principles of religious freedom.<ref>{{cite news|author=FNC |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/03/new-york-city-panel-clears-way-mosque-ground-zero/ |title=New York City Panel Clears Way for Mosque Near Ground Zero |publisher=Fox News |date=April 7, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> The ] also supported the mosque, while indicating that it agreed with the need for transparency as to who is funding the project.<ref name="nytimes4"/><ref name="ap-2010-07-30"/> | |||
| A petition circulated by the liberal<ref name=WaPoPartisan>{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/05/23/ST2008052300064.html | |||
| | title = Senate Passes $165 Billion Measure to Pay for Wars | |||
| | last = Weisman | |||
| | first = Jonathan | |||
| | date = May 23, 2008 | |||
| | accessdate = November 18, 2010 | |||
| | work = ]}}</ref><ref name=NYT>{{cite news | |||
| | title = Limbaugh Latest Target In War of Condemnation | |||
| | accessdate = August 17, 2010 | |||
| | last = Hulse | |||
| | first = Carl | |||
| | date = October 3, 2007 | |||
| | work = The New York Times | |||
| | url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E02E4D91E30F930A35753C1A9619C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all}}</ref><ref name="WaPo">{{cite news | |||
| | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR2008022502483.html | |||
| | title = Liberal Advocacy Groups Take Aim at McCain | |||
| | accessdate = July 18, 2010 | |||
| | last = Weisman | |||
| | first = Jonathan | |||
| | date = February 26, 2008 | |||
| | work = The Washington Post}}</ref> ] ] garnered 14,000 signatures in support of the center, including 450 ] from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and 4,000 veterans from wars from other eras.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://votevets.org/news?id=0358|title=Veterans Back Park 51 Muslim Community Center in Open Letter, As Petraeus Warns Against Anti-Islam Displays|publisher=VoteVets.org|date=September 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===Academia=== | |||
| ], professor of Jewish Civilization in the Near East in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at ], opined that "The presence of ... mosques like the one planned near Ground Zero, which will be an educational center as well as a place of prayer, is one good way of transcending ... ignorance."<ref>{{cite news|author=Mark R. Cohen|url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/07/americans_must_transcend_ignorance_on_mosque_near_ground_zero.html |title=Americans must transcend ignorance on mosque near Ground Zero – On Faith |work=The Washington Post |date=July 29, 2010 |accessdate=August 3, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis, of the ] Jewish Studies Program said that when it comes to the issue of freedom to practice religion in a private sphere, such as on a piece of private property in Lower Manhattan, ] is virtually inviolate.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/07/texas-faith-is-a-mosque-at-gro.html |title=Texas Faith: Is a mosque at Ground Zero religious freedom too far? |author=Wayne Slater |work=The Dallas Morning News |date=July 29, 2010 |accessdate=August 1, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ] Department of Religion professor ] spoke out against the arguments that Cordoba House should not be built near Ground Zero.<ref name="chron1"/><ref name="autogenerated7">{{cite news|title=My take: Christian group is latest ground zero hypocrite |author=Stephen Prothero |authorlink=Stephen Prothero |url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/06/my-take-christian-group-is-latest-ground-zero-hypocrite/ |publisher=CNN |date=August 6, 2010 |accessdate=August 9, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Stephen Prothero|title=My take: Ground Zero mosque good for America and New York|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/19/my-take-ground-zero-mosque-good-for-america-and-new-york/|publisher=CNN |date=July 19, 2010 |accessdate=August 2, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| Padraic O'Hare, Professor of Religious and Theological Studies and Director of the Center for the Study of Jewish-Christian-Muslim Relations at ], argued that prayer leads to peace: "Build a Muslim house of prayer near Ground Zero? ... Hand me the shovel."<ref>{{cite news|author=Padraic O'Hare|url=http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/07/house_of_prayer_near_ground_zero_yes.html |title=Guest Voices: House of prayer near Ground Zero? Yes! – On Faith |work=The Washington Post |date=July 21, 2010 |accessdate=August 5, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| During a CNN interview, ], a scholar at the ], defended Imam Abdul Rauf as "cited by government's sources in the United States as one of America's most pluralistic peace promoting religious leaders in the country". He defended the center as an "American-Muslim" center similar to the Jewish center built close to it.<ref name=CNN_debate>, '']'', July 14, 2010.</ref> | |||
| ===Others=== | |||
| During the ] tennis tournament Pakistan's ] said, "For me, as a Muslim, that's what makes America the greatest country in the world - freedom of religion, freedom of speech. If the mosque is built, I think it's a huge gesture to all the Muslim community out there in the world. I would really appreciate it."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2010/09/11/2010-09-11_aisamulhaq_qureshi_delivers_message_of_peace_at_us_open_after_indopak_express_su.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi delivers message of peace at U.S. Open after Indo-Pak Express suffers defeat | first=Stefan | last=Bondy | date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ==Documentary== | |||
| In 2012, filmmaker David Osit produced a documentary about the Park51 controversy, specifically following the story through the experiences of developer Sharif El-Gamal. The film is scheduled to air on ] in the fall of 2013.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| |url = http://www.itvs.org/films/building-babel | |||
| |title = 'Building Babel - ITVS' | |||
| }}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Commons category|Protest relating to Park51 in New York City (22 August 2010)}} | |||
| {{Reflist|2}} | |||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:53, 29 April 2014
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