It is really erroneous to refer to the building as a mosque. It will be a 13 story building that will house other facilities beside a mosque, and it will be open to the public to use. The center's board will include members of other religions and they will explore including an interfaith chapel at the center.
Quote:Plan for mosque near World Trade Center site moves ahead
A proposal to build a mosque steps from Ground Zero received the support of a downtown committee despite some loved ones of 9/11 victims finding it offensive.
The 13-story mosque and Islamic cultural center was unanimously endorsed by the 12-member Community Board 1's financial district committee.
The $100 million project, called the Cordoba House, is proposed for the old Burlington Coat Factory building at Park Place and Broadway, just two blocks from the World Trade Center site.
"I think it will be a wonderful asset to the community," said committee Chairman Ro Sheffe.
Imam Feisel Abdul Rauf, who helped found the Cordoba Initiative following the 9/11 attacks, said the project is intended to foster better relations between the West and Muslims.
He said the glass-and-steel building would include a 500-seat performing arts venue, a swimming pool and a basketball court. "There's nothing like it," said Rauf, adding that facilities will be open to all New Yorkers.
Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and Cordoba Initiative board member, said the project has received little opposition.
"Whatever concerns anybody has, we have to make sure to educate them that we are an asset to the community," Khan said.
Khan said her group hopes construction on the project will begin by the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Once built, 1,000 to 2,000 Muslims are expected to pray at the mosque every Friday, she said.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/05/06/2010-05-06_plan_for_mosque_near_world_trade_center_site_moves_ahead.html
This is an artist's rendering of the proposed building.
It doesn't even really look like a mosque.
The people behind this project really don't seem to be insensitive at all.
And there really aren't a lot of people protesting this building. Now that I know Pat Robertson is behind trying to block it, I suspect that his group is behind most of the agitating, and not the families of 9/11 victims. And Robertson has his own reasons for doing things. He may be trying to exploit the tragedy of 9/11, and "sensitivity to the victims' families feelings" to generate anti-Muslim sentiment for his own purposes. He does not like Muslims, all Muslims.
I think the media should back off and not create an issue where there might not be one.
) whose back was broken went he went down to Ground zero to assist people who needed help.
