The Times West Virginian

Opinion

August 29, 2010

‘Ground Zero Mosque’ sparks big debate

Times West Virginian

FAIRMONT — It is perhaps the biggest debate to hit the nation involving the Islamic faith since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when radical extremists were responsible for the deaths of thousands in New York City, Southwestern Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

A 37-year-old developer, Sharif El-Gamal, wants to build a $100 million Islamic cultural center in Manhattan on a piece of property he owns. The problem, or at least the problem for those who think there is one, is that the property owned by El-Gamal is a mere two blocks from ground zero, the ground where the World Trade Center’s towers stood before two hijacked planes crashed into the buildings.

It’s been labeled by the media as the “Ground Zero Mosque,” though the structure encompasses far more than just a place of worship for Muslims. The New York Times reports that the center will include a theater, educational programs, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a mosque and a 9/11 memorial. But the newspaper also says that despite winning initial approval from the governing body and clearing legal hurdles, El-Gamal might have a difficult time raising $30 to $40 million to match the $70 million in bonds, which a religious nonprofit entity can obtain.

El-Gamal has vowed that he will not take money from organizations that have “un-American values.”

“We will not take money from Iran. We will not take money from Hamas,” El-Gamal told CBS news late last week. “The money is going to be coming from people that want to get involved in the project. And I think it’s gonna come from people from all walks of life.”

People from all walks of life certainly have an opinion on the subject, as it brings to a head arguments of religious tolerance and the public grieving process after less than a decade has passed since the worst terrorist attack on American soil. So we asked about our readers’ thoughts on our online poll last week, which can be found at www.timeswv.com.

For 13 percent of our readers, it’s an issue of sensitivity. Those readers said “Can it be done? Sure. But should it be done?”

For a few more, or 22 percent, the answer was “Condemning an entire faith for the acts of a few radicals is ludicrous.”

Those readers include online responder Andrea, who said, “This country was founded upon freedom of religion. Christians have killed thousands upon thousands over the years, yet we have churches on every corner. There has been a mosque around the corner for decades. Do we tear that down as well?”

Andrea’s sentiments were echoed by Donna Hess, who said, “My God please open their hearts and minds. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Walk in someone else’s shoes?’”

Hess responded online. “Do you know what that means? How would you like it if Baptists or Catholics were not allowed to build a church close to a graveyard or funeral parlor were Baptists picketed some of our dead veterans who were returned from the war to be buried by their families?”

But it was the clear majority of our readers, or 65 percent, who said building the center is “disrespectful to the thousands of Americans who were killed on 9/11.”

Those readers included Barry Bledsoe, who responded online by saying, “Just because you think someone has the Constitutional right to do something, doesn’t mean it is the RIGHT thing to do! It is high time that we stop using the Constitution to allow us to do what we WANT to do, even if it is wrong, and start doing what is RIGHT, no matter what. Maybe then, our country would stop going down the drain, right into the sewer. A Muslim mosque near ground zero is WRONG! PERIOD!”

This week, let’s talk about economic recovery in the U.S. and how to effectively speed it up.

Log on. Vote. E-mail me, respond online or call our dedicated voting line at 304-367-2509.

Misty Poe

Managing Editor

mpoe@timeswv.com

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