The Ground Zero Mega Mosque

As you’ve probably heard, there are plans in the works to build a 15 story Muslim community center near Ground Zero. The location is about two blocks from the former site of the Twin Towers, and would include a mosque, classroom space, and other amenities for the community. Some have compared it to a Jewish community center or a YMCA, which sounds correct on a superficial level. Of course, there are differences.

Let me begin by stating that Muslims have every legal right to build a mosque at that location. As long as all local zoning laws are satisfied, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be built. Yet, while this building would seem to serve a function similar to that of a Jewish community center or a YMCA, only a fool can’t see the difference.

On September 11th, 2001, the United States was attacked. The nineteen terrorists were Muslims, they were members of Al Qaeda, which is an Islamic terrorist group, and if I remember correctly, there were several news reports of widespread celebrations in the MIddle East when news of the attack broke. I know the perpetrators were extremists, and I’m certainly no theologian, but it’s rather obvious that there is a propensity toward violence in Islam that is not found in Judaism or Christianity. To deny this is disingenuous.

Even if you only agree with part of my argument, you would probably point out that the Ground Zero Mosque will be run by Feisal Abdul Rauf, a moderate Imam. Of course, this isn’t true. Shortly after 9/11, he blamed the United States for being an “accessory” who brought on the 9/11 attacks. By the way, he also says the United States has more blood on its hands than Al Qaeda. Remember, this is someone referred to as a moderate Muslim.

I would prefer to see the mosque built somewhere else. If all legal requirements are met, then there is no reason why it shouldn’t be allowed to be built. Of course, mosque supporters shouldn’t be surprised when a majority of Americans oppose a mosque on this particular site. 3,000 Americans were killed by 19 Muslims, who were backed by an Islamic terrorist organization, then widely celebrated in the Middle East. If the mosque is built, we don’t need to like it, and we certainly don’t need to pretend we are fine with it.