9/11 Families ‘Stunned’ The President Backs Mosque

Opponents: Obama Turned Local Issue Into National One

August 14, 2010 11:40 PM

The proposed Mosque site near ground zero (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK (CBS 2) – President Barack Obama says Muslims have the right to build a mosque at Ground Zero, but does that mean he thinks it’s a good idea?

While visiting the Gulf Coast on Saturday, the president elaborated on what he said Friday during a dinner with Muslim leaders.

Obama clarified his statements about the Ground Zero mosque, saying he supports the right of Muslims to build it, but he wouldn’t say whether he thinks they should build it.

“I will not comment on the wisdom of the decision to put a mosque there,” Obama said. “I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates to our founding.”

President Obama first broke his silence on the politically charged issue Friday night, with a comment at a White House dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

“Let me be clear: as a citizen and as a president, I believe Muslims have a right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country, and that includes the right to build a house of worship and community center on private property in Lower Manhattan,” he said.

It’s the same message Mayor Bloomberg has been delivering for some time now.

“We would be untrue to the best parts of ourselves, as New Yorkers and Americans, if we say no to a mosque in Lower Manhattan,” Bloomberg said.

Republican Congressman Peter King responded strongly to President Obama’s stance.

“I strongly disagree with the president, the president is wrong. The mosque does not belong near Ground Zero,” Rep. King said. “With their right [to build the mosque] is the responsibility to relocate this mosque and take it away from Ground Zero.”

Retired FDNY chief Jim Riches says the controversy over the mosque slated to be built just steps from Ground Zero has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with sensitivity for those killed on 9/11.

“Historically, they’ve put mosques where they’ve had their conquests, and I think they’re doing that here,” Riches said.

Riches’ eldest son Jimmy, a firefighter, was killed in the attacks. The Riches are an FDNY family – all four sons and father are firefighters. For them, the proposed proximity of the mosque to the site of the attack is painful.

“We’re not against them practicing Islam – we know not all Muslims did this,” Riches said. “We think they should be a little more sensitive and move this just a little further away from Ground Zero.”

Debra Burlingame, co-founder of the group “9/11 Families For A Safe & Strong America,” argued “Muslims have worshipped in New York without incident both before and after the attacks of 9/11. This controversy is not about religious freedom.”

Burlingame excoriated the president, saying he “has abandoned America at the place where America’s heart was broken nine years ago, and where her true values were on display for all to see. Since that dark day, Americans have been asked to bear the burden of defending those values, again and again and again. Now this president declares that the victims of 9/11 and their families must bear another burden. We must stand silent at the last place in America where 9/11 is still remembered with reverence or risk being called religious bigots.”

“We are stunned by the president’s willingness to disregard what Americans should be proud of: our enduring generosity to others on 9/11–a day when human decency triumphed over human depravity. On that day, when 3,000 of our fellow human beings were killed in barbaric act of raw religious intolerance unlike this country had ever seen, Americans did not turn outward with hatred or violence, we turned to each other, armed with nothing more than American flags and countless acts of kindness,” Burlingame said.

“In a breathtakingly inappropriate setting, the president has chosen to declare our memories of 9/11 obsolete and the sanctity of Ground Zero finished. No one who has lived this history and felt the sting of our country’s loss that day can truly believe that putting our families through more wrenching heartache can be an act of peace,” she added.

Despite the on-going controversy, though, the construction of the Islamic center appears to have a green light.

CBS 2 reached out to the Cordoba Islamic Center for comment, but calls were not returned.

9/11 Families Stunned The President Backs Mosque

L

Why is anyone surprised by this. He has never released his college transcipts or financial papers – Why???? How about foreign aid as a foreign aid student and the fact he has already declared himself of Muslim faith.

He is exactly what you get when you pick someone because of?????? and the fact that Ted Kennedy loved this guy – should only confirm the type of person you have in the White House
david l

I live 2 blocks from the proposed site and have since 2000. Apart from the fact that their right to build is a slam dunk on Constitutional and legal grounds….there is already a mosque at Ground Zero, 1 block from City Hall. It is so crowded that at times clusters of worshippers spread their payer rugs right out on the sidewalk since it is full inside. There have been no issues with the existing mosque as far as I know of.
Swit

Why punish these muslims for something that was started in their home country? Many of them had know idea what was going on. America is made up of many different nationalities and many different religions. We didn’t have a problem before the 9/11 attack with this religion. If we feel the need to condemn them then we should be condemning all that have caused us grief, pain, and loss.
jake

I THINK OBAMA IS RIGHT MUSLIMS DO HAVE THE RIGHT LIKE ANY OTHER RELIGON AND BLAMING MUSLIMS FOR 9/11 IS LIKE BLAMING AMERICANS FOR THE IRAQ WAR ..”WAR NOT A ONE DAY THING!” FROM ALL THEMUSLIMS ONE WAS BAD AND DESTROYED THE TWIN TOWERS BUT WAT ABOUT THE IRAQ WAR? HOW MANY BAD AMERICANS HUH?? UN COUNTABLE!!
norman thijsen

If the president approve the mosque he will be called anti american because of 9-11 sentiment and if he disapprove he will also be called anti-american because of undermining the constitution.I guess the President is stock.The Republican made it finally to label Obama with muslim.A mastermind chessplay.I wonder who is really behind the mosque????
Tim

Ben & David. Give critical thinking a crack sometimes. You seem to be entirely ignorant of the democratic principles by which this country is governed. It the the rights of the minority that supersede the ‘will of the citizens’ as you call it. The will of the citizens may be the majority opinion but the majority is often uninformed, bigoted or otherwise in opposition to the rights of individuals. If you don’t like this, consider moving to an undemocratic country. As to your confused statements regarding the governments role in religious issues–are you really unaware of the separation of church and state? This center is to be built on private property. The government has no right to dictate whether a mosque or church or temple be or not be allowed on that land. And fortunately, you don’t either.
Willie

Well..I’m glad that the Muslims gave you something to talk about, as if the Americans have too much time on their hands, and no problems left…you guys should worry about what happens underground, than what happens on the ground…or is it just you who have the good intentions invading other countries in the name of “freedom” and “democracy”…but then again…go on…hate on…like you need more hate…white vs black, straight vs gay, democrat vs republicans…and people wonder how some countries just vanish….
Anonymous

The suggestion that Obama’s statement made this a national issue is ridiculous. Cable and radio talk shows have been sensationalizing this like any tabloid designed to sell papers. Facts have been distorted, and if not for deliberate propaganda, the building would likely have been unnoticed since it is not in the immediate vicinity of ground zero. Yes, with few exceptions, Islamic countries are theocratic police states, which is why we don’t want to become the same thing.
madboyyyee

I dont know what is the problem check history Europeans killed millions of people destroyed entire civilizations on build a church to top it off…one Mosque wont hurt lol
Louise

We have freedom of Religion, but within reason…peoples feelings about the area should be taken into account. Mulsim countries see America as weak that we would allow a mosque so close to ground zero. Is that what we want?
ANT

ben you are right. i posted a few things on facebook that were deleted. THEY ARE ALL TRAITORS!
alan

You are all idiots. Go educate yourselves before you try to comment on this issue again. It is apparent that you all have not a clue as to what made or what keeps this country great !!!!!
Ben

There is no freedom in America for Americans anymore: my comments and links to Arabian media have been removed instead of allowing it to inform americans what exactly are being taught in these mosque, and what is worshiped.
Nick

Ben – thats a nice tolerant view isnt it. Just proves our point !
Bas

As a Christian expatriate in Saudi Arabia, I WANT A CHURCH!
But they don’t even let us to wear a cross or get a bible into the country!
So why should we give always!??

Ben

Because we HAVE NO RIGHTS and are the curse of Allah. And Obama and Bloomberg agrees and has just reinforced it.
Z

because america is not a ‘christian’ country. it is a multi-religious, multi-cultural open country.

David

President Obama endorses having a mosque at ground zero, yet he wants to take God out of the Pledge, off our money, and take away our National Day of Prayer which is our freedoms. Where do our Christian religious views come in to our freedom of religion? Waite we are not muslims so we don’t have freedom of religion even though the Constitution says we do!
dxM

Mr. Obama & Mr. Bloomberg are silent members of the Al Quaida, followers of Bin Laden. They are both a disgrace to the people of the USA & to the world community.
Ray

It is offensive, not sensitive and not unifying but they have a right. until it is proven (not suggested) that they are linked to radicals then they are protected under the constitution. If we stop this then what do we stop next? It’s a very slippery slope that challenges all of our freedoms
DAVE

I think O’bama was elected head of the wrong country. He forgets this is the United States. The will of the Citizens of this country should always come first, not the will of a few who cause problems. Let them go home and build any kind of mosques they want there.

Kathleen

Dave has it exactly right. Let Obama go to another country that agrees with his thinking. I think GROUND ZERO IS SACRED GROUND!!!!!! How dare they build a mosque there. It is just to show us who is boss. This is NOT ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM!!!! It is DISRESPECT FOR THE DEAD!!!

Tiffany

No one is building a mosque exactly on ground zero. OMG people need to get their facts straight. It is going to be about a mile away.

Judicious

I thought Obama was elected by majority. From the above comments it appears he was elected by a minority. Does he not represent the will of the majority of the Citizens of this country? Bear him for his tenure and his decisions, America has not place for bigots of the kind these comments represent.

R SHELTON

Mosque is planned to be a symbol of Islamic success for Islamic tourists!
I vote NO!!!!
http://lopress.wordpress.com lopress

Everyone is infuriated by the complete stupidity of both Bloomberg and Obama. How ignorant can these people be? Islam is not a religion. Its a dangerous TOTALARISM. They have just invited this plague to expand into America, and in a site where thousands were murdered by the very same religion these idiots claim Muslims should have freedom to practice. By supporting this new mosque, they have also given their unofficial support to terrorism. Terrorism exist solely on the ideals of Islam and is not separate from Islam. Obama’s delusion that terrorism does not reflect Islam is beyond ridiculous. The entire middle east is anti-american to the core and hates america. Is he actually incapable of understanding this? Where exactly are all these peace loving Muslims who allow churches, temples and synagogues to exist in the middle east? Can he please point that out to all of us? It is Arabia, the seat of Islam, who supports and finances terrorists. Bloomberg and Obama is committing treason to this country.
Enough with these politicians! We had an entire nation and economy collapse under Bush and now another idiot is in the helms! This country has no chance to survive if we don’t remove these kind of people from power.

melise

Islam in the true meaning or this religion means peace but there are people who by their wrong interpretations and understanding of this religion have done more damage and have made the religion called Islam bad …….but its unfair to judge the religion coz many of those true muslims who follows true teaching and are law abiding and are wanting peace and doing good are also hoping that extemism and terrorism would end.they also have same wish as those many other christinas, protestants and those who had also been into other religions,peace , prosperity,and unity…Islam religion is not bad in its real sense and meaning. muslim people are not bad….not all are bad those people doing those horrible things are the once that are bad only claiming they are muslims, that they follow Islam religion and that they’re doing those ideals that they believed in and never even bother to think about the good of all people …
Bryan

Blaming Islam for 9/11 is like blaming Christianity for the Iraq War
Pat in NYC

People weren’t murdered by a religion on 9/11. They were murdered by a fanatic that used religious trappings. Bin Laden is not an Imam. He uses his religion as an excuse and a tool . Just as Christianity doesn’t murder abortion doctors, but fanatics using their religion as an excuse do and Pro-life organizations have been known to do. Terrorism isn’t about religion it is about using fear to control people’s political choices.

Muslims died along with Christians and Buddhists and atheists on 9/11 at the hands of fanatic hijackers. This Mosque is not on Ground Zero. It is in the area two blocks away. It is the project of an Imam who has condemned Bin Laden, his tactics and terrorism contrary to his depiction by the biggest opponents to this.

Just as Bin Laden isn’t about Islam, those who have started this are not interested in NYC, its people, or the best interest of our country. They are about fueling hatred and fear to enable an agenda that has no basis in fact or law.
Nicola101

OBAMA IS A MUSLIM ….. THAT’S Y HE THINKS ITS OK

bf

It is suggested that people building this center are deeply linked to the radical movement and that they are using this as a symbol of power. That would be wrong.
tony guerra

Better stick to the problems of AZ. That’s the problem of the federal government’s making. This mosqeu is a NYC problem and none of your concern. So butt out.

pbm

AZ border..a national problem…Mosque at Ground Zero is inviting another national problem based on info being reported.

hbf

People have said that the people building it are associated with radicals and that it is an intended positioning of power. If that were true then the president would be wrong.

Z

My home is here. I live and work downtown, and that is where I need a place to pray. The muslim community downtown has grown to the point where mosques are turning down people for lack a space. that is a much needed project, especially that it is a muslim prayer room in a cultural center to promote interfaith exchange.

jd

My home is here, I don’t need a place to pray and I still welcome this so-called “mosque” with open arms. Even if the rest of the country chooses bigotry it should be known that the people who live here do not. We remember what it was like to be attacked simply for our beliefs and we would never ever try to deny anyone free exercise of religion.

Bring on your “terrorist” swimming pool, film series, concerts and maybe cooking classes too!
t

Perhaps an existing mosque could add some space. And there could be a show of understanding FROM Muslims TO the others by not building on this particular site.
freedom??

lets put a sushi bar at Pearl Harbor too . while we are at it

Bal

This is it… Obama’s true color has emerged!

http://magic155384.lovein.tw/cartoon/?p=42 Ground Zero Mosque Controversy Goes National » 東方線上漫畫

[...] more on WCBS-TV New York 2010 年 08 月 14 日 | admin | Tags: Controversy, Goes, Ground, mosque, National, Zero | No [...]

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9/11 Families ‘Stunned’ The President Backs Mosque

Opponents: Obama Turned Local Issue Into National One

August 14, 2010 11:40 PM

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