Symbol of Victory

Ground Zero

In November 1621, Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower on a piece of the New World at Plymouth Rock, MA. They left many friends and families behind and were met with a cold, uninviting new life. The uncertainty of their future was not as important as living with religious freedom—the ability to worship and embrace their spiritual beliefs without government intervention. For nearly 400 years, this New World has allowed countless individuals to worship in any manner they see fit. Today, a group of individuals want to build a 15-story $100M+ mosque and community center two blocks from Ground Zero. Legally, they are protected by the Bill of Rights and can worship and build their mosque. However, this issue is not a legal one but rather one of sensitivity and appearance.

On 11 SEP 01 (9/11) a militant group of Islamic fanatical terrorists (al-Qaeda) declared war on every American, our way of life, and our freedom of beliefs. While this group does not represent all of Islam or Muslims, it does represent the harm individuals can do in the name of religion. My argument and the argument of many who oppose the building of the mosque is not against Muslims or those who embrace the tenets of Islam, but rather the appearance of what some if not many will associate with the mosque. The senseless attacks of 9/11 by these terrorists left nearly 3000 dead in addition to the 19 suicide hijackers. It was the largest loss of life in a terrorist attack, or military attack (think Pearl Harbor). To many, especially those who lost loved ones and friends to the attack, building a mosque less than two football fields from Ground Zero is a slap in the face. Look at the aerial photo below illustrating the locations.

The location of the mosque is a building owned by Stephen Pomerantz and at the time of the attacks, was leased to Burlington Coat Factory. Since the attacks the building has been "on the market". Why? Because part of the landing gear and fuselage of one of the jets tore through the roof and several of its floors, compromising the building's integrity. It remained on the market for several years until a developer purchased the rights to buy. The development group behind the purchase is a tax-exempt foundation with assets totaling less than $20,000. In the first 5 years, the foundation raised less than $100,000. Where are they going to get funding for this building?

The figure-head of this development group is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who claims to be a moderate Muslim who embraces all faiths and wants this mosque to serve as an example where Christians, Jews, and Muslims can live side by side, in peace. He, however, has a checkered past. He blamed America as a co-conspirator in the 9/11 attacks; would not declare Hamas as a terrorist group, and denounced belief in interfaith dialogue: In March 2010, in Arabic, Rauf stridently denounced interfaith discussions. "I don't believe in interfaith dialogue," he said in an article that highlighted his statement in its headline. He is also a strong supporter of Shariah Law (if you do not understand this, research it). In the Washington Post 05 JUN 09, referencing President Obama's speech in Cairo, Egypt, he states "By embracing Islam in the peacemaking process, Obama has laid down a challenge to Muslims. Live up to the tenets of our religion, embrace Shariah law as conceived by the Prophet, and see what happens." I do not want that here. The only theocracy I want to live in is one in which the Almighty God, the Great I AM—sits on the throne.

Additionally, Rauf wants to name the mosque and community center--Cordoba House. Cordoba was a Christian Spanish city that was conquered by the Islamic Moors and became the capital of the Muslim Caliphate. The Caliphate refers to the first system of governance established in Islam. In one of Usama bin Laden's videos released after the 9/11 attacks, he specifically designated the attack as revenge for the loss of Cordoba and Andalusia to the Spanish in the 15th Century. Does this sound like a place of unity? Also, how many non-Muslims will use the "community center"?

Again, this is not about whether they have the legal right to build, but rather should they build there? New York Governor, David Patterson offered to provide state land at no charge if they would consider relocating. They are adamant about this location. Incidentally, just 3 blocks further from the proposed site is the current mosque that has been there for decades. Some have suggested purchasing the adjacent property and building there. Again the answer is NO! What is so important about this location? Raheel Raza, a Pakistan-born Canadian woman and author of Their Jihad, Not My Jihad: a Muslim Canadian Woman Speaks Out, has an answer for this. "We Muslims know the Ground Zero mosque is meant to be a deliberate provocation. It's an act of "fitna". Fitna is an act of mischief-making, which is forbidden in the Koran.

Ms. Raza is not the only Muslim to oppose this location. 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." Suleiman Schwartz, Executive Director of Center for Islamic Pluralism, a Washington DC non-profit organization explains building a mosque this close to ground zero is inconsistent with the Sufi philosophy of simplicity of faith and sensitivity towards others and "grossly insensitive".

Zuhdi Jasser, founding member of the Center for Islamic Pluralism and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. "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." What does the American public have to say about this location?

Aerial photo of World Trade Center Ground Zero following Sept. 11 attacks. The red square right of Ground Zero marks the former Burlington Coat Factory and the proposed location of Cordoba House. The Red line at the far right is the location of the existing mosque.

In a 10 AUG 10 Fox News survey (the most recent survey available, others including a CNN poll, Wall Street Journal poll, and Gallup Poll all have the same results) clearly states Americans do not support this:  64% of Americans thought it would be wrong to build a mosque and Islamic cultural center so close to Ground Zero; 30% felt it would be appropriate. Of the 64% the breakdown between parties: Democrats 56 to 38%, Republicans 76 to 17%, and Independents 53 to 41%. At the same time, 61% felt that the Muslim group had a legal right to build a mosque there. (Democrats 63 to 32%, Republicans 57 to 36%, Independents 69 to 29%). Clearly, the American populace is against this site and I strongly urge our political leaders to grow a pair and speak out against this.

Putting a mosque in this location is similar to erecting a Japanese cultural center at Pearl Harbor, or perhaps a German cultural center at Sobibor, Poland or Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland, or Treblinka, Poland—all Nazi extermination camps. In fact, at one of the locations, a group of nuns established a convent only to have the Pope ask them to leave because of the appearance of insensitivity. A convent-not anything related to Nazis, or even Germany. Do you see the similarities? Do you understand why so many are against this? As always, research this yourself and make your own decision...do not take my opinion or anyone else's as your own.