Protesters at last night’s meeting
Despite an outpouring of protest by 9/11 survivors, first responders, and their families, the New York City Community Board 1 has voted 29-1 in favor of building a mosque at Ground Zero, the site where Islamic terrorists committed the largest act of terrorism on American soil on September 11, 2001.
The New York Post reports that while the board has no official say over whether the estimated US$100 million mosque and community center gets built, the panel’s support, or lack of it, is considered important in influencing public opinion.
A New Yorker stands up against the mosque
An emotional four-hour debate raged before the vote, with about 150 New Yorkers attending the Greenwich Street meeting with signs opposing the proposed mosque.
“That [Ground Zero] is a burial ground,” retired FDNY Deputy Chief Al Santora told The Post. His wife, Maureen, said “I do have a problem with having a mosque on top of the site where [terrorists] can gloat about what they did.”
The Santora’s son, 23-year-old son, Christopher, was the youngest firefighter to die that day. 343 firefighters and paramedics were killed when the World Trade Center came crashing down.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who supports building the mosque, stood in front of the site before the meeting and said, “What we’re rejecting here is outright bigotry and hatred.”
Catholic priest Kevin Madigan, of St. Peter’s Church, which is about a block away, agreed.
“I think they need to establish a place such as this for people of goodwill from mainline Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths so we can come together to talk,” Madigan said.
The mosque is part of a larger community center project called Cordoba House, which will include a performing arts center, swimming pool, culinary school, child care facilities. Spokeswoman for the project, Daisy Khan claims the project will provide 150 full-time jobs, 500 part-time jobs to New York City.
Why the Cordoba House?
Cordoba House is a Muslim-led project which will build a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City. The center will be community-driven, serving as a platform for inter-community gatherings and cooperation at all levels, providing a space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.
This proposed project is about promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture. Cordoba House will provide a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a center of learning, art and culture; and most importantly, a center guided by Islamic values in their truest form – compassion, generosity, and respect for all.
The site will contain tremendous amounts of resources that otherwise would not exist in Lower Manhattan; a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores, restaurants – all these services would form a cultural nexus for a region of New York City that, as it continues to grow, requires the sort of hub that Cordoba House will provide.
Source- http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/cordoba-house-new-york-city
The ideas and reasons given are most ‘noble’. The sponsors are the problem! Perhaps fifty or more years would be required before community judgment would tolerate sponsorship of such a center. Imagine , if you will, such a fine display being presented to New York City only five or ten years after the conclusion of WW2 by the Japanese? There are many corporate sponsors that possibly would jump at an opportunity to be part of such an undertaking? I would suggest that at the center location, an architectural model be constructed, with the airplane’s impact shown, to be ever remembered as the dedication of the center to render that even in the worst of man’s doings, good things can be manifested in trying to understanding those responsible for the horrific actions as these! Thanks for allowing me to express my feelings.
Can someone please tell me if the PA of NY&NJ control this area? Or have control over this area? I say they don’t. But I cannot find proof of this.
TIA
people of nyc,you need to start impeachment procedings against the mayor and the council of nyc if they want to have a mosque at ground zero, the muslims want a mosque at ground zero, because they consider it a victory against all Christians. It should not be built. Your leaders their are totaly nuts, if you are a Christian you can see through this atriscity. sorry about the spelling.
Building this community/mosque at this site would be an abomination!!! I am not against Freedom of Religion, BUT build it elswhere in NY and avoid the agony of desecration of sacred ground. I believe that the areal of 9/11 and its surroundings should become a national ground that requires federal approval before any buildings are erected.
if its private property let them do what they want to with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i cant believe all the response above…
you guys for sure havent search anything bout it….
IT IS NOT BUILD ON THE SITE OF THE WTC !!!!