A Ground Zero 'Mega Mosque' - Healing or Opening New Wounds?

A 13-story Islamic Center is proposed to be built two blocks from the center of Ground Zero

A meeting of a Manhattan Community Board turned angry when a proposal for a new Mosque and Community Center were proposed. First responders and relatives of victims were among those who clashed with proponents of the new structure.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - On Tuesday evening relatives of the victims in the 9-11 attack on the World Trade Center expressed heated opposition to a proposed Mosque planned for a location at "Ground Zero." Supporters called the project a "seed of peace" and a "place for people of goodwill."

At a meeting of Manhattan's Community Board 1, tempers rose among opponents to the planned Muslim Center during a four-hour public debate with more than 150 people in attendance. The issue ended with the Board voting 29-1 in favor of the project; ten board members abstaining who desired to table the issue at this time.

The America Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) has already purchased a site for the $100 million 13-story structure, called Cordoba House, which will include a Mosque and Community Center.

According to the New York Post, opponents held up photos of loved ones who were killed when the Twin Towers were destroyed and carried signs, saying such things as, "Honor 3,000, 9/11 -- No mosque!" They called the plan an insult to the terror-attack victims.

They also noted that retired FDNY Deputy Chief Al Santora told the board, "That is a burial ground," referring to the fact that victims' remains were scattered for blocks. "I do have a problem with having a mosque on top of the site where [terrorists] can gloat about what they did,"

Santora lost his 23-year-old son, Christopher, on that day. He was the youngest firefighter to lose his life in the wake of the attack.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the head of the Cordoba Institute, which is in charge of the project, stated that his community lost people in the Trade Center as well. He believes the new Mosque would help build a bridge between Muslims and the rest of America.

"We are Americans, we are Muslim Americans," Rauf stated. "Many of us were born in the United States. We have no higher aspirations than to bring up our children in peace and harmony in this country. We have condemned the terror of 9/11. We have worked to ensure that our mosques are not recruiting grounds for terrorists."

The Associated Press report included another point of view from Viviana Hernandez, a chaplain.  She stated that the families of Sept. 11 victims "would be wounded by erecting a mega mosque so close to the place where their loved ones were massacred. Even though they may have altruistic reasons, the real terrorists will see it as a win on their side."

Not all of the victim's relatives were opposed to the Mosque. The AP cited Bruce Wallace, whose nephew had perished in the attack, as saying that the center can change the misperceptions about Islam.

"The moderate Muslim voice has been squashed in America," he said. "Here is a chance to allow moderate Muslims to teach people that not all Muslims are terrorists."

Some arguments were also more pragmatic for the project which will be located just two blocks from the center of Ground Zero. Iman Rauf's wife, Daisy Khan, stated that the planned community facility provided a much-needed space for parties and other venues for the area.

The Mosque, which will seat around 1500 worshippers, is only one part of the plans for the Cordoba House. It also includes a school of culinary arts, a swimming pool, basketball court, child care facilities, art exhibition spaces, bookstores, restaurants and a performing arts center.

The Cordoba Institute, which is in charge of the project, has stated that the "mega Mosque" would provide 150 full-time jobs, 500 part-time jobs and would bring more than $100 million to the city's financial district.

In a prepared statement, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who has come under heavy attack for favoring the project, said that by supporting the multi-faith community and cultural center, the board would "sent a clear message that our city is one that promotes diversity and tolerance."

Stringer commented on the sensitivities of the families of 9/11 victims before the vote was taken, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

"I don't think anybody wants to do anything to disrespect those families. They made the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "At the same time, we have to balance diversity and look for opportunities to bring different groups together."

The project has the support of New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg. He told ABC News last week, "Anybody wants to build a house of worship in this city; we'd love to do it. They have to comply with the zoning laws. In this case, I think the community board's already been consulted and they overwhelmingly like the idea."

One obstacle still in the way is the landmark status for the building that currently occupies the site purchased by ASMA for $4.85 million. Known as the old Burlington Coat Factory building at 45 Park Place, an application for landmark status was filed in 1989 as the building was constructed between 1857 and 1858. 

Elisabeth de Bourbon, a spokeswoman for the Landmarks Preservation Commission, said the application had been put on hold but was now re-activated and a hearing is scheduled to determine the status of the building. She has been adamant that the review has no relationship to the pending construction initiative. However, if historic status is granted, the building cannot be torn down and plans for Cordoba House will not be able to move forward on that property.

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