A Muslim leader who calls himself a moderate in Islamic theology wants to build a mosque in lower Manhattan a couple of blocks from Ground Zero where Islamic terrorists brought down two buildings and murdered nearly 3,000 people on September 11, 2001. The plan to build this mosque has polarized New Yorkers and people across the country.
Certainly Muslims have a right to build anything they can afford to build within the restrictions of zoning ordinances on land they own. They should be, and are, as free to build a mosque as Christians should be, and are, free to build a church. That is the legal part of this debate, and there really is no debate on this part of the issue. The law does not prohibit the construction of a mosque at the location in question. The plan has been approved by the city's building committee, so there are no legal hurdles to proceeding with the plan.
However, there is a tremendous amount of emotional opposition to building a mosque at this location. Some view it as a slap in the face to the families of the victims of 911. Some view it as a symbol of Islamic superiority and victory over the American infidels. Some view it as just plain disgusting. Others argue that it would be a symbol of acceptance of those who are different; it would celebrate diversity. It would remind us that not all Muslims endorsed the terrorism that struck deep fear into the hearts of nearly every American.
Personally, I have no concern over the building of the mosque at the desired location. I did not lose any family member or friend on 911, and I have no plans to visit the mosque when it is completed. I have no personal stake one way or the other.
However, it seems to me that the Muslim leaders overseeing this project need to listen to the outcry against their plan. It would be foolhardy to put up a building that is so controversial as to lead to violence and rioting. The building would be like a lightning rod attracting all the kooks of whatever stripe to create mayhem, causing property damage, injury, and possibly death.
The planners should either sell the property and locate elsewhere further away from Ground Zero, or delay construction indefinitely. They should then engage in a public dialog concerning their repudiation of Muslim extremists and the violence the world suffers because of them. That is one of the things that has made many Americans uneasy about Muslims in America. We have yet to hear any strong, public pronouncements of repudiation from the Muslim community. Lacking that, it is only logical that Americans would be hesitant to trust Muslim plans to further change the skyline of our largest city.
