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Ground Zero Mosque Is Dealt a Setback in New York

2 years ago

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Luisita Lopez Torregrosa

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NEW YORK -- In a reversal, an influential Jewish organization announced its opposition to a proposed mosque and Islamic center near Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan.

The surprising decision by the Anti-Defamation League , reported by the New York Times Saturday, is likely to inflame a months-long dispute that's become a national debate on freedom of religion and the impact of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

The turn-around by the ADL, a mainstream group that had earlier denounced attacks on the proposed mosque as bigoted, may change the course of the battle over the planned $100-million, 15-story Islamic center and mosque which is to include a house of prayer, a theater, a pool and a restaurant.

Site of proposed mosque in Lower Manhattan

Up until now, New York City government officials, led by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, appeared ready to approve the project. Bloomberg has repeatedly defended it, saying, "Everything the United States stands for and New York stands for is tolerance and openness."
The mosque would rise only two blocks from the site where radical Muslims killed about 2,750 people, crashing two planes into the Trade Center towers. It is a place that is sacred ground to millions of Americans, but especially to the loved ones of the victims who haven't let the passage of nearly 10 years diminish memory of that day.

The debate expanded from intense town hall meetings in New York to national proportions when several Republican leaders and conservative commentators fueled opposition to it. Sarah Palin urged "peace-seeking" Muslims to give up on the project, saying that it is an "unnecessary provocation." The GOP has produced a television commercial denouncing the plan, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich opposed it in speeches.

Here in New York, two Republican candidates for governor, Rick A. Lazio and Carl Paladino, have made the issue central to their campaigns against the Democratic nominee, the state's attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo.

The arguments against the mosque have engaged the American public. Polls show that a majority of Americans oppose erecting a mosque near Ground Zero.

The ADL's national director, Abraham H. Foxman, told the Times on Friday that his group came to the conclusion that the Islamic project was offensive to the families of the victims of the 9/11, and he suggested the center's backers look for a location farther away.

Filed Under: Republicans, Terror, Sarah Palin, Culture, Conservatives, Newt Gingrich, Ground Zero Mosque

Tagged: 911, Anti-Defamation League, dailyguidance, Ground Zero mosque, Islamic radicals, Michael R. Bloomberg, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin

More articles from Luisita Lopez Torregrosa »

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Timaloha

Everyone on the right LOVES the Constitution...until it becomes inconvenient to them.

July 31 2010 at 4:50 PM Permalink -7

sherry

We all remember 9/11. That was the day America stood still and lets not forget about the pentagon and the near miss of the white house. Muslims are Muslims. They breed hate of any religion not being theirs. Yes there were some muslims lost in the world trade center but they were martyrs according to the muslim religion. For God's sake, to allow them to build near ground zero is like saying up yours America. The man that did a dry run a few months ago in time square was an American born muslim. They are all the same. They want control and fear to stand in our country. We must unite as Americans and not let them do this. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

July 31 2010 at 4:45 PM Permalink +10

bltcarbiz

The goal of Islam in America is not one of tolerance, remember the Qu'ran teaches it is ok to lie to infidels, to slay infidels and not be friends to infidels Q 9:5, 5:33, 3:28 . Look it up. It is a political movement as well as religous one. Building the mosque is WRONG!WRONG! WRONG!

July 31 2010 at 4:40 PM Permalink +6

Bill Wendt

Who says that anyone has to be tolerant of "others" views?? If that is the case,then Muslims must be tolerant of others who disagree with their points of view!These people use religion as a way to hide behind the fact that their views are an ideological and political point of view.How many times do they have to state that they want to kill ALL who don't convert to their "religious" views before all the liberals get it? Do the Libs really believe that they will be exempt from the Muslim threats? Remember,this is AMERICA,not the Middle East.

July 31 2010 at 4:32 PM Permalink +8

bbroadfoot

I would be more willing to see "a $100 million 15 story Islamic center mosque" built near ground zero in NY City when the government of Saudi Arabia approves the building of "a $100 million 15 story Christian church and cultural center" in Mecca. What is good for the goose has to be good for the gander.

July 31 2010 at 4:27 PM Permalink +6

sondravvag

As is to be expected, the Muslim group is using our own laws of tolerance and freedom of religion to slap us in the face. When will Americans face that fact. When they speak loud and clear against their own "extremists" and denounce the religion that demans jihad will most of us even begin to trust their sincerity.

July 31 2010 at 4:21 PM Permalink

lnherentevils

Let the people of New York vote on it. Pretty simple huh?

July 31 2010 at 4:21 PM Permalink

Barbara

Ummm...I thought this was A M E R I C A...shouldn't we be building something to honor the people killed in the 9/11 attack instead of honoring the ones who attacked us? Talk about "political incorrectness..."

July 31 2010 at 4:21 PM Permalink

Dorrall

All organized religions are sick. Do away with them all. Its the only way to truly have peace.

July 31 2010 at 4:20 PM Permalink -9

cchucklest1

i am all about freedom, but some how i believe this effort to build this mosque is somebody that is playing with us. i would not allow it. why here why now?

July 31 2010 at 4:14 PM Permalink +9