New York City mosque stirs up nationwide controversy
Posted by The Skyliner on September 1st, 2010James Chip Moore
Staff Writer
September 11, 2001 will be forever engrained into Americans’ memories. On that day, terrorists attacked the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Damage from the collision sent debris for blocks around the site.
One of the buildings affected by the collision was a Burlington Coat Factory two blocks away. The store never opened for business again. The next people to occupy the space would be the overflow for a mosque. Currently, it is used for prayer space for the Muslim faith.
Developer Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf feels that it was an act of God that they received the building after it had been damaged on that day. The proposed opening of the mosque is September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
Talks of converting the building into a Muslim mosque sent the residents and Americans across the nation into an uproar. Angered and offended, many began to protest the projected building plans. From around the nation, political leaders all the way up to the president have spoken their opinion on the matter. Talks of relocating the mosque to another area have been unsuccessful.
According to the Quran (018:021), if Muslims have had victory over a certain place, by the grace of Allah, they are to construct a mosque as a symbol of victory. For many New Yorkers and Americans, the mosque is seen as very disrespectful to the lives lost on the day of the attacks. Even though Muslim lives were lost other than the terrorists, the mosque is not seen as a peaceful demonstration of the freedom of private property.
Even though the proximity of the mosque to ground zero is the center of debate and protest, there is another area that goes unnoticed. Within the Pentagon there is an interfaith chapel where Muslims gather for daily prayer services Monday through Thursday. There is also a weekly worship service on Friday that is met with no complaints.
Emotions have been the driving factor behind the debate and disdain for the proposed development plans. Emotions aside, there are no legal grounds for stopping the building of the mosque. We have all been given the freedom of religion and the freedom of private property. To stop the construction would be seen as an offense to the Muslim religion.
Even though you don’t have to like what a religion stands for, we as Americans have to respect the rights of others. Once we oppress a religion outside of Christianity, it won’t be long before the same tactics will be used against Christians. Once we open the door for the majority to oppress the minority, it won’t be long before our own faith will be under attack. Even though building the mosque is not a respectful thing to do, we as Americans have to respect the rights of everyone.
Tags: Fall 2010, Vol. 111 Fall - Issue 1
Wow. I can see both sides. It is hard to form an opinion on such a controversial and sensitive subject. However, I do not think it would be appropriate to open the mosque on the 10th anniversary. That is a sacred day for our nation and should be treated with special consideration, instead of a grand open-type celebration/ritual.
Nice story, Chip.
I am offended by the planned opening of this Mosque! However; there are several different aspects to look at. Yes, as a government there is no basis for stopping the Mosque from being opened, and not sure that there should be a governmental intercession with the plans, in the form it has so far. The other side of that is, for all of the uproar, with the exception of “The Donald”, no individual or group has made any serious effort or offer to buy the building from them. Sure, the clerics and those behind the Mosque may be saying, “Hey.. we build it, and we have a place to worship and recruit, but if they offer us enough money.. then we can help finance another attack.” I just don’t know..; they are not a people of a belief system that can be trusted at all. The best avenue Christians can take, is through the politically elected aldermen and city counsel of New York. This is where government must act, via the voice of the people in an “organized” legal way. Not just because its a bad idea. If you have a majority of people against it, then they will have little choice but to act accordingly. My opinion.. just say’n!