Ground Zero Mosque Project Divides American Muslims

Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama, Race and Civil Rights

The controversial proposal to build an Islamic cultural center and mosque two blocks from the Ground Zero site in lower Manhattan is running in to opposition from an unexpected source: the American Muslim community.

Voicing concerns that the proposal is stirring tensions at a time when Muslims are seeking more peaceful relations with non-Muslims in America, like that of Neda Bolourchi, whose mother was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack, show that Muslims are not a monolith in support of the mosque.

"I fear that over time, it will cultivate a fundamentalist version of the Muslim faith," Bolourchi wrote in an op-ed published in the Washington Post.

Six out of 10 Americans opposed the construction of the mosque, according to a new poll conducted by Time Magazine. In addition, 7 out of 10 said they agreed that building the mosque just blocks away from where the 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred would insult the victims of the attacks.

The poll results back up the common sense thinking among mosque opponents.

No one is asking for mosques currently located in lower Manhattan to be shut down. Nor are mosque opponents asking that Muslims be restricted from Ground Zero.

The problem is simply one of location, and until mosque supporters can explain exactly why it is so crucial to have a mosque built so close to the sight where radical Muslim terrorists brought down the World Trade Center, public opinion will be against the proposal.

In one of the biggest gaffes of his presidency, President Barack Obama couldn't resist the opportunity to lecture the nation on what he believes is right and voice support for the mosque proposal.

When it seemed the issue could become useful campaign fodder for Republicans in the upcoming November elections, Obama attempted to back away from his initial support, calling the matter "a local issue."

How about you get off the soap box, Mr. President, and let N.Y. Gov. David Paterson continue his commendable work in trying to nudge the mosque developers to another location in the city?

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