Obama throws support behind controversial [Ground Zero] Islamic center

[Electrequiem]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a thread about this, yet.

CNN:

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama threw his support behind a controversial proposal to build an Islamic center and mosque near New York's ground zero, saying Friday that "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country."

"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," Obama said at a White House Iftar dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

The president's remarks drew praise from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who announced his support for the Islamic center last week.

Bloomberg compared Obama's speech to a letter President George Washington wrote in support of a Jewish congregation in Newport, Rhode Island. "President Obama's words tonight evoked President Washington's own August reminder that 'all possess alike liberty,' " Bloomberg said in a statement.

"I applaud President Obama's clarion defense of the freedom of religion tonight," he said.

Obama, who said he was speaking both as a citizen and as president, invoked the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which critics of the Islamic center cite as the main reason for preventing its construction.

"We must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan," Obama said, according to his prepared remarks. "The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country."

"The pain and suffering experienced by those who lost loved ones is unimaginable," he continued. "So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground."

But Obama argued that American ideals and the Constitution demanded that the project proceed.

"This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable," he said. "The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure."

The proposed Islamic center has provoked vocal opposition from some families of 9/11 victims and other groups. Nearly 70 percent of Americans oppose the plan, according to CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll released Wednesday.

The project's leaders say they plan to build the $100 million, 13-story facility called Cordoba House three blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks. The developer, Sharif El-Gamal, describes the project as an "Islamic community center" that will include a 500-seat performing arts center, a lecture hall, a swimming pool, a gym, a culinary school, a restaurant and a prayer space for Muslims.

On Wednesday, the project's developers declined an offer by New York Gov. David Paterson to relocate the project to a state-owned site.

Earlier this month, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously denied landmark status for the building where the proposed Islamic center would stand, allowing the project to move forward.

Kudos to Obama. But the part in bold is really worrying ...

[bujhee kom]

Salute Obama!
Salute Bloomberg!
Long live and peace!

[_Rafi_]

Stupid,idiot, matha mota Sarah Pelin opposing the move!

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (1)

[Habib]

I can't see any islamic center being built on ground zero. There isn't much public support for it in USA. And even if Obama somehow manages to build it he won't be the president next time that's for sure.

[Ajfar]

I think we shouldnt build it there. Its such a controversial place already. Why cause more tension. Inshallah our prayers will be heard weather the islamic center is in ground zero or 100 block away from this place.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (iPhone)

[cricket_pagol]

Originally Posted by Habib
I can't see any islamic center built on ground zero. There isn't much public support for it in USA. And even if Obama somehow manage to build it he won't be the president next time that's for sure.

The islamic center is 2 blocks from ground zero. There is a coat factory at that location now, and there is already a mosque 4 blocks from ground. What republicans are doing is nothing short of reprehensible. I would like to applaud Obama for his leadership, because this is a very controversial issue and he could have stayed quite. But, he stood up for religious freedom and tolerance. Thank you Mr. President.

BTW, here is an interesting bit of polling analysis, which shows why it is not suicidal for obama to support the right of building an islamic community center in private land.

The only poll to have gotten the distinction right, believe it or not, is the one from Fox News. They asked two separate questions about the planned development. First, they asked:
A group of Muslims plans to build a mosque and Islamic cultural center a few blocks from the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. Do you think it is appropriate to build a mosque and Islamic center near ground zero, or do you think it would be wrong to do so?
Only 30 percent of respondents said "appropriate", while 64 percent said "wrong" -- consistent with the apparent unpopularity of the mosque in other polls.

But Fox also followed up with this question:
Regardless of whether you think it is appropriate to build a mosque near ground zero, do you think the Muslim group has the right to build a mosque there, or don’t they have that right?
Here, the numbers were nearly reversed: 61 percent of respondents, including 69 percent of independents and 57 percent of Republicans, said the developers had the right to build the mosque; 34 percent said they did not.

Source

Asking right questions in the poll is very important.

[Equinox]

There seems to be protests against new mosques all around America. Furthermore there is a chance that Eid may fall on 9/11 of the Christian calendar. And while most Americans will understand there will remain a ignorant and vocal minority who won't or at least pretend not to. Tough times for Muslims in the US.

[cricket_pagol]

Originally Posted by Equinox
There seems to be protests against new mosques all around America. Furthermore there is a chance that Eid may fall on 9/11 of the Christian calendar. And while most Americans will understand there will remain a ignorant and vocal minority who won't or at least pretend not to. Tough times for Muslims in the US.

Eid in US will be on 9th. Nasif gave evidence for that over here
http://www.banglacricket.com/alochon...ad.php?t=34086

Of course, there be some groups celebrating it on the 10th.

[al Furqaan]

many other mosques are also being opposed...not just this one. my undergrad community also just won a victory and just started building their new center. we made Fox, CNN, and the Daily Show too...

[Rifat]

Originally Posted by bangladesh_sy
I think we shouldnt build it there. Its such a controversial place already. Why cause more tension. Inshallah our prayers will be heard weather the islamic center is in ground zero or 100 block away from this place.

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (iPhone)

the real reason a masjid(Islamic center) is Built in the first place is to provide the surrounding community Islamic service, such as friday sermon(khutbah), 5 daily prayers, funeral prayers(janaza), Islamic lessons for all people, social activities.

I completely understand your argument and somewhat agree with it. However, if we do decide to move the masjid in another town, then arn't you defeating the purpose of serving your own community surrounding ground zero?

When you have a large muslim community in an area it makes perfect sense that they have a center where they go and pray, just like every town in US have their own church.(several denominational churches to add to that )

did muslims ever raise controvery in Jerusalem where The crusaders mercilessly murdered thousand of civillians which includes christians under muslim rule, jews and muslims? there are plenty of churches built there, right? did the muslim Brothers/HejBollah make a fuss about it?

other issues arise; such as already planned area, money already spent will go to waste...

I am with President Obama on this :AmericanFlag:

[Electrequiem]

The Islamic Center HAS to be here. There should be no compromise. These islamophobe bastar*s like Palin, Gingrich, Lazio, and Co need a good hard kick.

[bujhee kom]

Thank you so dearly Electriquiem bhai for this most fantastic, most inspiring Keith Olbermann vdo clip!!

[ialbd]

its a treat listening to a sane, rational person (Olbermann).....

[Rifat]

very good post Electric bro!

I will share a joke with a muslim comedian Azhar Osman:

" the media is upset is because President obama went to Maaadrasaa(said with emphasis)..madrasa is an arabic word for "School". so the media is upset that President Obama went to school. it shows that they prefer their politicians uneducated"

[Equinox]

Thanks for the video.

[FagunerAgun]

Originally Posted by _Rafi_
Stupid,idiot, matha mota Sarah Pelin opposing the move!

Posted via BC Mobile Edition (1)

It is not stupidity, it is an attitude of neocons invading crusaders.

[Beamer]

This is a First Amendment issue. That is why Obama spoke up as he is the protector of the constitution, though politically its not expedient. Repubs will make an issue out of this for Nov. elections and I see Dems taking a beating. Maybe, it will hide the real issue of Economics as the bail outs has been a failure.

[Equinox]

Originally Posted by cricket_pagol
BTW, here is an interesting bit of polling analysis, which shows why it is not suicidal for obama to support the right of building an islamic community center in private land.

But Fox also followed up with this question:
Regardless of whether you think it is appropriate to build a mosque near ground zero, do you think the Muslim group has the right to build a mosque there, or don’t they have that right?
Here, the numbers were nearly reversed: 61 percent of respondents, including 69 percent of independents and 57 percent of Republicans, said the developers had the right to build the mosque; 34 percent said they did not.

Asking right questions in the poll is very important.

34% is still very high when the question is "...do you think the Muslim group has the right to build a mosque there?..." That is more than a quarter of the people asked who said no. Either they do not know their own constitution or more likely they believe Muslims do not have the same right to that constitution as other Americans. Alarming.

[FagunerAgun]

Now he has a widening division in his own party on it.

[ialbd]

i hear ppl telling Republicans wont let this go easy, and this thing can spiral into a bigger mess and cause a downfall for the Dems in 2012 election..... heh... and we call our politicians good for nothing.....

[Habib]

Posting it here because not interested in opening a new thread for this s**t.
A church in Florida has declared 9/11 as 'Burn a Quran day' & planned to burn Quran on that day. And the slizzy USA/western media are covering it as if this is president election or something thus giving it more publicity. There is no law preventing this act though Obama may talk the pastor out of it.
So what the hell is happening there?
Source: CNN.

[cluster11]

That pastor is a piece of work and everybody from the general Patrues, Hillary Clinton in state dept. to Angelina Jolie to democrat and republican leaders condemned it so far. Even that pastor's former church condemned his action and that city in Florida already said they will not issue a bonfire permit to his church specifically to prevent this. The guy is a real islamphobe, last year he tried to sell t-shirts with derogatory terms about Islam. I think what came about this is that it shows there are some extreme fanatic Christian nuts too that only needs some excuse to come out of their shell. Well its a free country and even the KKK has the right to hold rallies. But it was nice to for once almost everybody was united in condemning this pastor.

[Habib]

Well the pastor has called off the burning plan.

[ammark]

Gotta love the Bible belt.

[Electrequiem]

The douchebag Pastor will NOT burn the Quran, "not now, not ever." He is also considering a conversion to Islam.* What a drama queen.



*made up.