Ground Zero Mosque Moves Forward…Dealing with Prejudice, Forgivness, Islamphobia and More
The September 11th attacks (often referred to as 9/11 ) happened nine years ago today. Everyone is blogging about it, everyone has an opinion.
Many words come to mind today…sadnesss, hurt, hate, prejudice, forgiveness, injustice, empathy, Islampohobia…I could go on and on. Our experiences and what we do with them shape and determine our trajectory. Often, they change us gradually; sometimes, they are immediately life altering. Everyone was affected in different ways.
The Islamic community that hopes to build a $100 million mosque and Islamic center near Ground Zero has cleared an important hurdle – approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission to build on the site.
But that approval – which was expected – is not likely to end the controversy about whether the site of the mosque is offensive to people who lost their loved ones on 9/11 or whether the Islamic community has the right to build a place of religious worship where they want.
The issue has taken on national proportions with Republicans such as Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich coming out in opposition to the mosque. It has become a part of the governor’s race in New York with Republican Rick Lazio opposed to it and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in favor.
On his blog today, Michael Moore said, “I am opposed to the building of the “mosque” two blocks from Ground Zero.
I want it built on Ground Zero. Why? Because I believe in an America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice. I believe in an America that says you have the right to worship whatever God you have, wherever you want to worship. And I believe in an America that says to the world that we are a loving and generous people and if a bunch of murderers steal your religion from you and use it as their excuse to kill 3,000 souls, then I want to help you get your religion back. And I want to put it at the spot where it was stolen from you.
There’s been so much that’s been said about this manufactured controversy, I really don’t want to waste any time on this day of remembrance talking about it. But I hate bigotry and I hate liars….Blaming a whole group for the actions of just one of that group is anti-American.Timothy McVeigh was Catholic. Should Oklahoma City prohibit the building of a Catholic Church near the site of the former federal building that McVeigh blew up?”
“The man who speaks of the enemy / Is the enemy himself.”
— Bertolt Brecht
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