@Cycloptichorn,
Quote:Suffice it to say that I don't believe that you have a single valid point and that this whole thing is ginned up for no reason other than to spread anti-muslim sentiment, which I'm sad to say you seem to accept as valid.
If you think I accept anti-Muslim sentiment, you didn't understand my last post. I am asking that political leaders have the courage to come out and loudly condemn the anti-Muslim sentiment, and bigotry and deliberate offensiveness and provocative that is being directed toward those of the Muslim faith, particularly by the Tea Party movement. Instead, these people, particularly the Republicans and Conservatives, are jumping on the anti-mosque bandwagon, without explicitly excoriating the organized bigotry that's making up part of the opposition.
What you fail to accept, is that some people have real fears regarding terrorism, and they fear terrorist attacks being perpetrated by extremist or radicalized Muslims. And the people of NYC have possibly the strongest motives to have such fears. They have heightened suspicions, with good reason. New York is always on High Alert. The threat is real.
These people have legitimate reason to ask questions about this particular proposed structure. For one thing, it is huge. It is not just a mosque. It is different than the other mosques in the City, and it is different than the other religious institutions. And, apparently, it was deliberately located near the WTC site. And the Iman behind it has kicked up controversies before because of his statements about 9/11. And no one knows which foreign governments will put up the money to fund this project. So, some opposition may be quite appropriate, and may continue until questions like that are answered.
None of the above reflects anti-Muslim feeling or bigotry. These are concerns that come from fears concerning terrorism. And they do not imply that all Muslims are terrorists. And they do not denigrate the Muslim faith.
You should not lump the legitimate questions people have, which might form the basis of temporary objections, with the clearly organized bigoted element that opposes this project. Most of those bigots, who hate Muslims, don't want mosques built anywhere. They have opposed mosques in Staten Island and Brooklyn. They are the ones who do the most carrying on about this mosque being near Ground Zero. They actually do not want it built at all, anywhere.
Ground Zero has a symbolic value, and both sides of this mosque controversy are trying to play off that symbolic value. The builders of this project want it located near there. Certainly for the families of the 9/11 victims, that land, where the WTC stood, arouses emotions. But I don't know that all the 9/11 victims' families have strong feelings about where this mosque is built. I don't think anyone has asked all of them. Some might not like the idea of a mosque near Ground Zero, some might not care at all. But, this sort of tug of war about Ground Zero has been going on since 2001. That is why nothing has been built there. Everything about that piece of land becomes controversial. Everything about it requires negotiations.
It's not just whether this mosque/community center can legally be built there, it's also about whether it should be built there, given overwhelming public opposition. What's the point of building a center dedicated to inter-faith harmony, if issues about its location result in not only more disharmony, but if they actually tear a community, or city, or country apart?
I have no anti-Muslim feelings. I personally do not care if this mosque is built 2 blocks from Ground Zero or 20 blocks from Ground Zero. And I feel that those developers can go ahead and build their complex there, if that is what they are determined to do.
But, just as as I feel that the bigots are wrong to deliberately try to provoke and offend Muslims with things like bringing dogs near mosques, and threatening Koran-burning events, I feel it is equally wrong for Muslims to behave provocatively toward others, particularly in light of the events of 9/11. It may well be that the developers of this community center/mosque inadvertently provoked a situation by their choice of location. Perhaps they didn't realize how provocative a choice that would seem to other people. However, it is now clear that the location is provocative, based on the overwhelming opposition. Therefore, I would not consider it inappropriate for these developers to consider a new location, simply to demonstrate that their intention was not to provoke or outrage, and to show that they are people of goodwill and understanding.
There are sensitivities on both sides of this controversy. Both sides have to be willing to listen. This does require negotiations. And, if the inter-group conflict isn't resolved soon, the real bigots, the ones who put up those bus ads, are going to have a field day on 9/11/10 with hate filled, massive, anti-Muslim demonstrations right at Ground Zero.
It's not just about whether they can build that mosque near Ground Zero. It's now about whether they should. It's also about how we can separate legitimate terrorist fears from the anti-Muslim smear campaigns currently being waged by the bigoted factions in the Tea Party movement, because we need to stop those dangerous bigots and denounce their tactics. And we need to denounce every politician who is jumping on their bandwagon in an attempt to pander for votes in November. But, in order to do that, the current situation, about the location of that center/mosque must be resolved first, and that may take some negotiating.
