remember for the rest of their lives. 19 Al-Qaeda members hijacked four commercial airplanes and crashed into the Pentagon, the Twin Towers and a rural field in Pennsylvania. There were 2,752 deaths; 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and countless civilians. This day is considered by many to be the most tragic day in American history. It will be written
into history books, engraved on memorial sites and in
our hearts forver.
Nearly ten years later this incident is still fresh in our
minds as there is a proposal to build a mosque and Islamic Center just blocks from ground zero. We are a country that accepts everyone no matter what nationality, religion, race, gender, or sexual orientation. So why is it such a controversy that American Islamics want to build a mosque right next to ground zero? It is a matter of principle that most people do not want the mosque. Building a mosque next to where Muslim terrorists killed nearly three thousand Americans is just a sign of disrespect.
This debate has caused quite a stir in the media and from people all over the United States. Mayor Bloomberg has supported the project saying, "Anybody who wants to build a house of worship in this city, we'd love to do it." However, Ted Sjurseth, a founder of America's 9/11 Foundation has said that the mosque plan is "a stick in the eye".
Families of the victims of the 9/11 attack have spoken out against the building of this center on the grounds that it is insensitive and disrespectful. Parents and relatives of people who perished because of the attacks say that the whole mosque debate is just reopening old wounds. The victims of the catastrophic event should be shown more respect, and the mosque plans should be made somewhere else.
Retired New York Fire Department Deputy Chief Jim Riche's son was killed on 9/11. He is not opposed to the mosque but he does not think it should be built so close to ground zero. There are still one thousand bodies that have not been found and they are still finding pieces of victims. He does not think its appropriate to be building a fifteen story mosque with an indoor pool this close to hallowed ground.
President Obama defended the building of the mosque a mere 600 feet from ground zero because people have the right to practice religion where ever they want in the United States. However, Democratic Senate candidate Jeff Greene has said "Freedom of religion might provide the right to build the mosque in the shadow of ground zero, but common sense and respect for those who lost their lives and loved ones gives sensible reason to build the mosque someplace else".
Even though it may be within the Islamic's rights to build a mosque at that location, is it really necessary? Is this a proper way to honor the dead? Do you agree or disagree with the building of the mosque?
Links:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38698500/
http://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque-faces-obstacle/story?id=10738961
I do agree that any citizen of the United States has the right to practice their religion of choice. However, it is completely ignorant and disrespectful of this Imam to build a 15-story mosque so close to ground zero. I know several people who lost loved ones in this horrific attack and I personal could have lost someone had it not been of a delay. Besides the fact that it is disrespectful, it is unnecessary. This Imam already heads a mosque several blocks from this proposed site. In addition, he says that everyone would be welcome at this "cultural center" but how can he possibly expect this. First off, because this is an Islamic center it will very likely implement sharia law. In this case, any woman seeking to go there would be required to be in a hijab and have other requirements. It is also unlikely that Jewish people would be welcome or if they were, would probably be uncomfortable. Some people have said this is not offensive because it is not ground zero. First off, offense is a subjective emotion. Second, do they realize that human remains were falling on this location? It is my opinion that anywhere that had remains landing should be considered ground zero. My hope is that this mosque will not be completed. Even if this Imam is allowed to build it hopefully, no one will build it. I have many family and friends that work in construction and, even in a bad economy, they have ALL said they would never work on this project. In no way is this honoring the dead. In no way should this mosque be built.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the mosque should be built, but shouldn't be built right there. There are hundreds of other places they can build it, because it is a touchy subject and needs some time to rest even though it has almost been ten years but if they are still finding bodies, they should respect the dead and the families of the dead by letting them collect the bodies still. In my opinion they should build a monument there for all the people died, so it can be a memory of what happened and what we will try to prevent if it is ever tried again. You would be welcomed to go there, but most epople don't go to toher churches and check it out, some people do just to see how different religions are practiced. If you have a religion you usually just stick to your holy place of worship. i think the mosque should be built just not there.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if I say this mosque should not be built I would be considered by many to be close minded and inconsiderate to religious freedom. However, I know that if this mosque were to be built, many would be infuriated. 9/11 was such a tragic event that even if you did not have a family member or friend perish in the attack you were still deeply hurt. It was an attack on our home and everyone was threatened. I feel that if this mosque were to be built, it would just dredge up horrific memories from that time and the pain would be relived. This is not to say however that Muslims are not welcome. Their religion should not stereotype them as bad people simply because it was a group of Muslim extremists who attacked our country that fateful day. The mosque in my opinion should not be built there because although the site of ground zero is clearly marked, the damage that 9/11 caused is not restricted within those parameters. Adding a mosque to this place would indeed corrupt the site and would be a sign of disrespect and lack of consideration towards those who perished, their families, and everyone else who was hurt by 9/11.
ReplyDeleteI cannot agree more with the words of Jeff Greene. Although the mosque is not being built exactly on Ground Zero, even the original idea of it still bothered so many individuals. These individuals included those who were directly affected by the 9/11 tragedy. I think it would have been respectful to decide to build the mosque somewhere in which it did not spark a controversy that left families “reopening old wounds." You cannot always please everyone, but choosing to build the mosque so close to Ground Zero was not exactly "necessary” either. Freedom of religion includes worshiping or practice anywhere so that is why I agree with Greene so strongly; the fact that the mosque was approved is something that most people will deal with (even if reluctantly), but it definitely would have been the proper and respectful choice to build elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that a mosque should be built so close to Ground Zero. While all Americans have the right to practice their religion of choice freely, this does not necessarily make the building of a controversial mosque so close to Ground Zero right or acceptable. There are a number of mosques already in New York City, many somewhat close to the proposed spot for a new one; therefore, there is no immediate need or justified want for building a mosque at that location. Also, while building the mosque may be lawful, it is in poor taste. Obviously not all Muslims are extremists and certainly the entire religious group shouldn't be condemned or inhibited in any way. However, the Muslims should show some sympathy and understanding to the vicitims of 9/11 and their families. If, for example, an extremist Catholic group were to cause severe destruction and loss of life through terrorism in Afghanistan, it would be in poor taste to build a Catholic church in that part of Afghanistan. I think there should be some mutual respect with matters like this. Therefore, by opposing the building of this mosque, it is nothing against Muslims or Islam, but it is a matter of poor taste and judgment.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this mosque should be allowed to be built wherever the Imam wants it because of our religious freedom. I also feel that there should be enough consideration for the tragic events of 9/11 to build it on a site other than Ground Zero.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I also think that it is important to look at how the United States has acted in similar inconsiderate ways in the past. In 1952, the United States government and the CIA worked together to throw a coup in Iran. Overthrowing the Shah regime, the CIA placed a dictator into power who was hated by the Iranian people. This dictator merely used the US and the CIA to gain power over the middle-eastern country. As a result, Iranians felt betrayed by the US, leading to future tensions.
While I do not think that building a mosque on Ground Zero is appropriate, respectful, or necessary, I do believe that America must look inside herself and see if she is doing similar things to other countries.
I agree that The United States is a free religion country and that every citizen has the right to practice the religion of their preference. That quality has defined the country and many people struggled for this right to be real. However, there is a tragic event that left many families incomplete. Those families have their feeling in pain and the construction of a mosque on the Ground Zero is opening that affliction again. The loss was significant and the experience was terrible for The United States. The controversy should be treated with great care and maximum respect of these suffering families. I believed that Muslims do not want to offend the American families but the wound is not closed. 9/11 changed the opinion of many people referring religion issues in extreme actions. How this extreme people could damage the image of some religions and the consequences of their acts.
ReplyDeleteWhen looking at the ideological meaning behind the tragedies of 9/11, we all can formulate a reason why that day in history will never be over looked. This horrific day caused many American’s to feel shocked and hopeless. The social implication at hand made us question our security and safety. I am strongly against building a mosque on the hollow grounds of 9/11 because this is a very sensitive topic for many people. What foreshadows this possible notion is a sense of the Islamic people disrespecting the meaning behind 9/11. I am not opposed to building more mosques, but just not on the hollow grounds of 9/11. I believe that if Islamic-Americans want to practice their faith they should be entitled to do so. Furthermore, I feel that the American families that where affected by 9/11 would just want to leave ground zero the way it is because its symbolism has extremely deep roots. This memorial should just be a place of remembrance and reflection. September 11, 2001, changed the lives of many Americans, it made all us see the devastating affects of terrorism. The aspect of building a mosque on that sacred ground just does not seem like a good proposition. In final, I view the day of 9/11 as one that changed everyone’s perspective. It made us realize how hatred and terrorism never solve any injustices.
ReplyDeleteIn my sociology class we talked about this issue. Yes, freedom of religion is very important, but everything that is done in our society impacts each individual and our society. A mosque at ground zero would only cause protests, which would result in Islamic people feeling violated, and mistreaten. It is sad that due to 9/11 Americans have a disfavorable view of Islams, but it is a view that i difficult to change, and that would take time to achieve. For example, in class we talked about a pastor who wants to burn the Quran. This shows how much of a disfavorable view Americans have on Islam, and that buliding a Mosque at ground zero would only upset more Americans, even if it is the wrong thing to do.
ReplyDeleteGranted, the Muslims have a legal right to build the mosque but the moral standpoint isn't right. They could choose anywhere in the continental U.S. and they need to build it next to ground zero? I don't think so. The Muslims that want to build this mosque are fully aware of what happened on 9/11 and the pain and heartbreak that went with it. They should just have the common courtesy to not build it next to ground zero. Its fine if they want to build a mosque, theres no objection to that. It just doesnt necessarily have to be next to ground zero. If it does so happen that the Muslims excercise their right to build the mosque there, it will consequently offend many Americans and many families that lost a loved one on 9/11. This rather inconsiderate act, could then turn into a bigger problem regarding rallies, protests, and violent actions.
ReplyDelete