Ground Zero Mosque On The Move?

Opponents To Meet With Developers On Troubling Issue

August 17, 2010 11:45 PM

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

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Updated: 8/18/2010 11:31 a.m.

NEW YORK (CBS 2/WCBS 880/1010 WINS) – There was a possible resolution in the works in the debate surrounding the proposed mosque and Islamic cultural center near ground zero.

It looks as if the developers of the mosque may be willing to budge and move away from the Park 51 location where they originally planned the construction, CBS 2′s Marcia Kramer reports.

So will the mosque be moving?

LISTEN: 1010 WINS’ Steve Sandberg reports
RELATED STORY: 9/11 Responders Slam Obama On Health Bill Silence
LISTEN: Ed Koch Weighs In On Mosque Controversy

New York Gov. David Paterson plans to meet with developers of the controversial Ground Zero mosque as early as this week to offer them state land – at another location – for their cultural and religious center. Paterson told Congressman Peter King about the meeting, and King said the governor asked him to make it public.

“The purpose of the meeting would be for the governor to discuss with the leaders of the mosque where state property is available,” said Rep. King. “Whether or not people from the mosque would be willing to consider that property.”

King added that the governor “seemed very enthused” about the anticipated discussions.

For at least a week, the governor’s message to the developers has been one of hopeful understanding.

“I hope that the type of cultural understanding that they’re trying to promote when they build the center could be practiced right now,” Paterson said.

Sources tell CBS 2’s Kramer that Gov. Paterson is concerned that Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a staunch supporter of putting the mosque at ground zero, and President Barack Obama, might be advising mosque leaders to dig in their heels and insist on the present location.

But there was a glimmer of hope that they are open to a compromise.

Photo/Steve Sandberg A Tuesday tweet from the Park51 Twitter account said:

“For the past week, we have focused on trying to respond to attacks and detractors of our project. What’s become clear is – they won’t listen.”

In the next 140 character post, they added:

“Starting today, we’re going to begin addressing questions regarding park51. We’re open to any sensible discussion.”

Paterson’s office confirmed that discussions between his staff and the developer’s staff have been ongoing and said the governor expects to have a meeting scheduled in the near future.

Congressman King said the openness of the developers to a compromise will be the real test of their intentions.

“If the leaders of the mosque take up the governor on his proposal, it would show that their real intention is to bring people together, build bridges,” he said. “And not just make a political statement by having a mosque at Ground Zero.”

There’s also the issue of separation of church and state, and whether the governor should provide state land for a mosque.

King said in this case it would be okay, especially if the compromise meets the need of both sides.

As for the debate over the mosque in its current proposed location, religious leaders said Monday they are worried this one building is leading to a nationwide backlash.

It is the question Muslim leaders and those of other faiths are asking.

“How far is too close? If two blocks near the Burlington factory is too close is that far enough?” said Mahdi Bray, the executive director of Muslim American Society Freedom.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch spoke with WCBS 880′s Rich Lamb and defended the right to build the Islamic cultural center saying that the Constitution provides that where you can build a church or a synagogue, you can build a mosque.

But, says Koch, “I also believe that most people, myself included would think it’s insensitive to build a mosque so close to the 9/11 catastrophe.”

Koch added that if the people building the mosque don’t think it’s insensitive, then the government has an obligation to protect their rights.

Officials said the ground zero mosque controversy is just one of many attempts to prevent mosques from being built all over the country, and that it may have emboldened other protestors.

Protests have been held on Staten Island, and California, and Tennessee, Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida.

“The building of mosques and the resistance from the buildings of mosques has increased throughout America as well as the destruction and vandalizing of mosque, including a pipe bomb placed in a mosque in Florida,” Bray said.

Leaders of other faiths joined the Muslins American Society Freedom on Tuesday.

“I know how I would feel if people started saying there were certain places you weren’t allowed to put up a synagogue and therefore I know what should not be done to people who want to put up a cultural center which will include a prayer space,” said Rabbi Aurthus Waskow, the director of the Shalom Center in Philadelphia.

Signs of support were also seen Wednesday morning at the proposed site for the mosque on Park Place. Defenders of the Islamic cultural center wrote out in sidewalk chalk, “I thought this was America” and “Mosque Yes, Hate No.”

But on Tuesday at ground zero many said they were opposed to putting the mosque so close to where the 9/11 attacks took place. They are not against mosque construction in other parts of the city.

“It’s the location, yeah, this is holy ground. A lot of people died here,” said Steven Van Cook of Queens.

“My objection is ground zero. This is a holy place. It should remain as a holy place,” added Steven Goldberg of Bayside.

What about building it in another place in Manhattan?

“No, I wouldn’t mind because you know it’s freedom of speech in the country, but I object to it being here,” Goldberg said.

When asked is he is opposed to the location or the building mosques in New York City, Vito Serzelczyk of Marlton, N.J., said, “Location, location, location. This is a very sensitive area. I was here on Sept. 11. It was a terrible, tragic event and I feel sorry for the families of those people, victims, and this is not really the place to build a mosque.”

Gabe Hernandez

As long as their funds or other means of support are provided by our enemies, I don’t see why they should be asked to move. It’s not like Americans have been concerned about the building of many thousands of christian houses of worship in the shadows of the many sites where Native Americans were slaughtered by the millions over centuries.

To quote Ben Franklin: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Texas Red

The state giving land for a religious facility? can NY do that?
Ojay

I am hearing rumor that the Imam in charge of this project is considering naming the mosque and community center after Barack Hussien Obama for his unconditional support on the matter. Is their any truth to this ?
Tracy

Bravo Mr. Paterson. I live in Kansas but do not want this mosque built. 9-11 happened to all Americans. God Bless you!
J Nielsen

What about separation of church and state the libs are always screaming about.

Ylem

Great point.
Lee

Liberals only invoke the “separation of church and state” arguement when Christianity is the focus.

The Highland Pipes

How ’bout we hold off building any new mosque in the US until there’s a new synagogue in Saudi Arabia. Fair is fair.
Cassie

A mosque on state land is beyond all doubt in violation of the First Amendment.
Jon

Governor Paterson,

If you are able to accomplish this, I would love to shake your hand and buy you a beer. Thanks for even attempting this.

Best of luck.
Jeremy

I think an important point is brought up in this article: The idea of bringing people together. What is the solution that will most bring people together? If the parties can get together and figure that out, there is hope for this whole situation.
Truth

This is a GREAT place for a mosque! Islam is a peaceful religion. Hateful extremists attacked the WTC, not “Muslims”. That is the first fact that needs to be understood before you can discuss this.

Tim

You need to be an American first before you can discuss this.

Mr Right

100% CORRECT! WIth legal documentation!
andrew

why would one need to be ‘America’ to make any kind of opinion about this issue? People like you, abhorrently ignorant, is whats bringing the decline of America.
Think_about_sensitivities

I think 6 million American Muslims count as “Americans.”

Clubby Stubby

I think not
Osamas Pajamas

They are Muslims first and Americans second.
Clubby Stubby

I think not!
Kate in Ohio

No, we call that an invasion!
Wake up! Their religions calls for the death of Christians. If you are atheist, don’t worry, they will get you too!

Tim

What is it that makes one American? Selecting which amendments of the Constitution to uphold and which to vilify depending upon when it is convenient? I live in the America that was built by the rule of law and the Constitution of the United States of America. I do not belong to the United States of Christianity.

All of those opposed to the Mosque are entitled to their opinion, even though that opinion has been formed by a small-minded narrow world view dictated by fear, religion, and paranoia whipped up by politicians, the media, and religious rhetoric. Al-Queda attacked America, not Islam. The irrational belief in an invisible man in the sky has been the cause of so much hatred in the world, can’t we just leave our Bronze age superstitions at home and keep them private?
angie1978

very true

Mr Right

You are completly wrong! They were all muslims first!
All_Fed_Up

Let the Christians build a church in Mecca and we’ll be happy to accommodate the Muslims here in this GREAT country of ours.

Barry D

You got it !
Think_about_sensitivities

Thats true…if you want the USA to be like the KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Saudi is a religious state with religious law. This is the exact opposite of the U.S. Why dont you pick a state where there is a predominantly Muslim population that is secular like Turkey, and try your comparison there.
MikeNYC

So not building the mosque means we’re just as bad as them huh? You do realize that’s the logical conclusion of your ignoramus argument.

This country is GREAT because we have PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THE 1st AMENDMENT. Meaning FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

Bigots like you are what makes this country a shame.

EroSennin

LOL. Absolutely correct.
Allah

You knocked that one out of the park.
Galen Van Kooten

You need to study the history of Islam- the prophet and his followers spread their religion by the sword-it is not a peaceful religion

Tim

Unlike the Christians in the Crusades and the brutal torture of Jews and others deemed heretics during the auto de fe…
TheWrongBand

Another example of how Islam is not a peaceful religion–The Great Crusades
Gabe Hernandez

The same can easily be said about christianity, which has just as bad, if not worse, a record of spreading faith by the sword… point a finger and see the three pointing back at you…

mkearns

Come on Gabe, when is the last time someone of Christian faith used force to spread their message or because of their intolerance of other religions? Oh that’s right, your equating today with the Crusades. Come up for air once in a while…it’s clouding your brain. Almost 600 years of no Christian violence against other religions. Seems to me that there were some Muslim Taliban that killed 10 Christian aid workers just last week because they were Christian.

John

You night want to read up on the Crusades, and the actions of the “Christian” knights.

peer89

Funny how “truth” lies and twists the truth.
leo

How long have you tried to persuade yourself that those who attacked the World Trade Center were not Muslims? The truth is they were, as other Muslims attacked and continue to attack civilians in Israel, blow themselves up in the streets of Baghdad, Lahore, Islamabad, and Kabul. All of them are inspired by Koran and financed by Islamic terrorist networks and Islamic states, like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Like Christianity in the Middle Ages, Islam has become a religion of violence and destruction.
rob

Hahaha your ignorance is astounding. There were far more muslim who died in 9-11 than those flying the plane. get a brain.
John

9/11 joke? Classy, sir. As a Manhattan resident who was here on that day, and who fully supports the community center, I don’t see how joking about 9/11 is less offensive than building a community center / mosque for the 99.99999999% of Muslims who had nothing to do with 9/11 or terrorism. Do yourself a favor. Go out, meet someone who looks different than you, realize that they’re not that different, and stop the hate.
jeeprn

Yup, “hateful extremists” who identified themselves as Islamists (“Muslims” to you). Peaceful indeed. Cite another religion where the holy text states inanimate objects (trees and rocks) will betray a person who will be killed based on nothing more than not being a peaceful Islamist. If there is to be a shrine built the American people want it to be in memory of those murdered not to the murderers

9trees and rocks 0
JDS

And pigs fly.
mikhail

You fail to see the forest for the trees!
Max Conrad

A “peaceful religion”.

This statement speaks for itself.

Pardon me, I have to vomit now.
flangegpp

Then why is this peaceful religion at war with EVERY non muslim culture in the world? It’s only peaceful to fellow muslims and that’s the TRUTH.

Nero

There is a spirit that is coming over America, and it is called “enough with liberal thinking”. I trace this back to the year 1968, when a political coup occurred in the Democrat party. Used to be that the Democrat party represented conservatism, and most of Texas voted accordingly. In the first 100 years of Islam, they killed and conqured Israel, Palestine, Turkey, North Africa, Greece, Rome, But when they tried to take France, thats when the crusades started.

Eve

Partial List of Muslim 9/11 Victims:

Note: This list is as yet incomplete and unconfirmed. It has been compiled from the Islamic Circle of North America, the Newsday victims database, and reports from other major news organizations. The victims’ ages, employers, or other personal information is included when available, along with links to further information or photos.

Samad Afridi
Ashraf Ahmad
Shabbir Ahmad (45 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and 3 children)
Umar Ahmad
Azam Ahsan
Ahmed Ali
Tariq Amanullah (40 years old; Fiduciary Trust Co.; ICNA website team member; leaves wife and 2 children)
Touri Bolourchi (69 years old; United Airlines #175; a retired nurse from Tehran)
Salauddin Ahmad Chaudhury
Abdul K. Chowdhury (30 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Mohammad S. Chowdhury (39 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and child born 2 days after the attack)
Jamal Legesse Desantis
Ramzi Attallah Douani (35 years old; Marsh & McLennan)
SaleemUllah Farooqi
Syed Fatha (54 years old; Pitney Bowes)
Osman Gani
Mohammad Hamdani (50 years old)
Salman Hamdani (NYPD Cadet)
Aisha Harris (21 years old; General Telecom)
Shakila Hoque (Marsh & McLennan)
Nabid Hossain
Shahzad Hussain
Talat Hussain
Mohammad Shah Jahan (Marsh & McLennan)
Yasmeen Jamal
Mohammed Jawarta (MAS security)
Arslan Khan Khakwani
Asim Khan
Ataullah Khan
Ayub Khan
Qasim Ali Khan
Sarah Khan (32 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Taimour Khan (29 years old; Karr Futures)
Yasmeen Khan
Zahida Khan
Badruddin Lakhani
Omar Malick
Nurul Hoque Miah (36 years old)
Mubarak Mohammad (23 years old)
Boyie Mohammed (Carr Futures)
Raza Mujtaba
Omar Namoos
Mujeb Qazi
Tarranum Rahim
Ehtesham U. Raja (28 years old)
Ameenia Rasool (33 years old)
Naveed Rehman
Yusuf Saad
Rahma Salie & unborn child (28 years old; American Airlines #11; wife of Michael Theodoridis; 7 months pregnant)
Shoman Samad
Asad Samir
Khalid Shahid (25 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald; engaged to be married in November)
Mohammed Shajahan (44 years old; Marsh & McLennan)
Naseema Simjee (Franklin Resources Inc.’s Fiduciary Trust)
Jamil Swaati
Sanober Syed
Robert Elias Talhami (40 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)
Michael Theodoridis (32 years old; American Airlines #11; husband of Rahma Salie)
W. Wahid

http://events.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/national/portraits/POG-09HAMDANI.html?ex=1282104000&en=e6e467a0f77a1dc9&ei=5070

http://islam.about.com/blvictims.htm

fred

No way they should be given land!!! The mosque should be moved and they can buy their own piece of property just like any Church. We suck up and act scared of the Muslims and that is not right.
Don

State land for a Religios center? What? What about the separation of Church and STATE!!!!!!

John Dowra

Nowhere in the Constitution is separation of church and state mentioned.

Hockey Lady

The phrase “separation of church and state” was in a LETTER that Jefferson wrote to Danbury Baptists in 1802. It is not used in the US Constitution
john dowra

Right Hockey Lady, it was his opinion, not US law.
T Jefferson

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Sheila

Good then they can start donating land to MY church for new facilities…and to everyone else’s church building projects. We are coddling terrorists…What the hell is wrong with you crazy people? Wake up — they are here to hurt us.

rob

Contrary to what you may beleive there is no mention in the constitution or bill of rights that says that there is seperation of church and state. What it does say is that congress may make no law respecting the establishment of religion. Distinct difference there. they cant make laws bolstering one religion over another.

Andrew

Regardless, this issue concerns ONLY NYC and its residents. Not an issue that needs any input whatsoever from D.C. While I disagree with the concept of giving away state land to ANYONE (slippery slope), I pay no taxes to the state of New York or NYC.
Sheila

Well free land seems to be bolstering their religion, dontcha think?

noway

It doesn’t apply to Islam. Our government has been bought with Saudi $$$$$. They will kiss every Muslim’s you know what, all the while dissing Americans who have been here for generations.
Eric

The State and Federal government trade and sell land all the time to many different groups and organizations. What does it matter if it is a Church. Non-issue

truth2

trade or sell is not the issue…giving away land is

Guido

Wait and see; they’re going to offer a site to these people for free; you betcha!
roxanne

I hope they are charging rent to the mosque for the land. But it seems Patterson is the only politician in NYC with principles and sensitivity.
Truth

Nana is absolutely wrong. Islam is just as wonderful as Christianity. Muslims died in 9/11, too.

Objections to the Cordoba community center are childish at best, hateful at worst.

ron

Tell me about the terrorists in the Christian church. How many Americans have they killed?

neuroguy

What a classic left wing moron you are Ron. Please go back into your basement and keep worshipping your Obama shrine, and let people with an IQ > 50 debate here.
Sheila

It has damaged relations badly already…there was a bombing in Fla. and there are picketers protesting a mosque in Tenn. already. IF they build that giant mosque I doubt that it will not be defaced or worse. People are not in a tolerant frame of mind just now…Their relatives are still overseas dying at the hands of Muslims…there is a reason they are afraid…9/11, Ft Hood, and so many other things. They are not intolerant – they are afraid and there has been ample reason to be afraid. This whole thing is doing nothing but promoting ill will and anger. It’s a bad idea to bulid this thing anywhere right now. Why don’t they plan a simple building and do this gigantic thing when it all cools down? If they are interested in bettering relations..sometimes it all hinges on timing. They ahve not been very flexible – they need to be if they are all about what they say they are and they need to be sensitive to the people they are supposed to be building bridges to…This is not making much sense to me…
http://rhoda1956.wordpress.com WarCriminals

Perchance you may recall that wee little Christian torture and murder spree callled the “Crusades”, or this great group of fellows, I think they’re some sort of club, they wear crisp white uniforms that cover their adoring humane faces as they burn crosses on the lawns of persons of ethnicities and color other than white or Christian, oh yes they’re named the Ku Klux Klan. Heard they had a hand in the murder of Edgar Medgers, burned down quite a few churches where persons of color attended murdering 5 little black girls as well. Ron, perhaps I’ll end here I just thought these little deaths may have escaped your hate filled wee mind.

Mark

Are you crazy! When was the last time Christians STONED people to death and the last time Muslim’s did; how about just the other day! Get real or end up dead by the hands of these haters.

http://rhoda1956.wordpress.com WarCriminals

I presume you’re referring to your own hands, Mark, sir. You are indeed a what you termed so eloquently as a “hater”, correct? Education certainly does a mind good, perhaps you might check into classes in Constitutional Law then provide lawful, patriotic nurterer’s of our Nation exactly what you deem the Founders had in mind when they provided even decimator’s of The Bill of Rights like fellows of your ilk, Mark sir with that thing many great American’s call the First Amendment, if you kindly would please.

STEVE N

Yeah…the muslims who died were the ones WHO FLEW THE FRIGGN INTO THE BLDGS MORON.
Wayne

Islam beautiful? C’mon, beautiful how? Like, BOOM, look at the beautiful colors? Peaceful, peaceful how? LIke, BOOM, look at all the dead Americans, listen to how quiet and peaceful it is now! Wake up people, wake up and smell the bacon grease! Islam is a murderous cult. They worship a pedophile. Mohamed was a snake oil salesman.
blablafreakinbla

right, we’re hateful. Muslims are murderers and treat women as dogs, but we’re hateful.
John Dowra

Nana is right, islam is nothing like Christianity or Judaism, neither of those religions want to kill and destroy civilization. Building the masque there is spiteful and hateful at best.
peer89

Yeah – they were the ones flying the planes into the buildings.
J

The terrorists don’t count!
Barry D

Yes I love how Islam will not let women in the mosques and how they burn girls schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan and then burn the girls . Women are like cattle in Islam and progressives will not admit it .

http://rhoda1956.wordpress.com WarCriminals

Sir, you are indeed an idiot it appears on this board you’ve all managed to propagate enough lies, hate, inhumanity and ignorance of our Bill of Rights to have allowed al Qaeda to win their battle against mainly Americans, but we do come in all faiths and ethnicitities and colors. The billions of Followers of al Islam are threatened, murdered, denied their First Amendment Rights for the egregious acts of a few. Using your rationale you have along with the rest of these hate mongers allowed al Qaeda whom committed these atrocities to win their war. Great job folks!

Diablodiverdown

So you would guarantee that no terrorists would go there to worship or commemorate the deaths of all the infidels on 9/11 ? We Americans are not that gullible even if our leaders are ! How about a compromise ? We will allow the Mosque at ground zero if you let us build a Christian church on the temple mount . I would bet that that will not happen due to a lack of compromise on the Islamic side. You see we are not that different so don’t cry foul because it will fall on deaf ears ! That is the real truth !
flangegpp

Of course muslim’s died on 9/11 I can think of at least 19 of them.
Truth2

childish at best, hateful at worst are the only reasons to insist Cordoba house being there

http://www.talkdrudge.com/2010/08/17/mosque-on-the-move/ MOSQUE ON THE MOVE?

[...] Statistics Follow the original link Last Updated: August 17, 2010 0 Comments [...]
chic

I wish him well, but there have already been reports from inman someone that this isn’t going to happen. I’ll be shocked if they agree,

Nana, they 0, cuomo, bloomberg) haven’t forgotten, they just don’t care. It’s all about them, that’s all it’s ever about.
Marco

I want to know if the land proposed will be sold or state owned/leased? In todays world no state property by law is to be used to resurrecting a house of worship. I want to know how this will be accomplished.
Peter

Why is the state giving them land? Would they do the same for a Christian church. I don’t think so!

LDT

This is a compromise. Nobody wants a mosque there, but there is no legal way to stop it. It really is win, win.

gaymedia

Win-win. I agree. The terrorists AND the radical Islamicists win. They are given free land by a country that would have to break it’s laws to bend over backward to accommodate the religion responsible for 99.9% of all terrorism being perpetrated in the world today.

ANON

WHEN YOU HAVE A MUSLIM PRESIDENT, IT HAPPENS.

“HAUX AND CHAINS”

Ziggy

I am sure they are doing a land swap. I would expect the mosque would give its trade center land to the state.
Casimcea

maybe they are swapping. if so, this is encouraging move. The Muslims motives on the choice of site is questionable but we too have to much at stake if we ditch the constitution..”.just this one time “

Jonathan Guy

There is a time and place for everything. This is not the place for a mosque.
Alan

Does New York provide state land for churches and synagogues?

Sam

But Federal Govt. and States prided millions to Churches and Synagoges after 9/11 and are still providing……………..

DKL

It’s a done deal that this mosque will be moved, even though Ha’aretz was called a liar when they reported it.
rummared

i concur
nana

Mr. Paterson, if you accomplish this we Americans will hold you up on a pedestal, you are the only one that is going to try and relocate this mosque, you are showing regards, respect, for all the families that lost relatives, this is not about freedom of religion but regards and respect for 9-11, how could obama, como bloomberg, forget that awful day. God Bless you, and if you run again I surely will vote for you thank you

Judy

I can’t vote for him as I live in California, but if manages to do this, then he is one of the few officials who listen to what the people want. God for you Mr. Paterson!

http://rhoda1956.wordpress.com WarCriminals

Then indeed being from Calufornia you should mind your business to the business of Calufornia. My daughter arrived home on an earlier train that day missing her death by 3.5 hours. She then suffering from PTSD due to the attack moved to LA, she said, “Mom, these people out here act as if nothing happened, they haven’t been affected by it one iota, they don’t even speak of it!” why is it you care about a First Amendment issue in Manhattan, is it due to it being a Mosque, is it because they are followers of Islam. Does it perhaps vother you because it’s a Community Center with a Culinary School and s basketball court? Oh noo Sir it’s those darn two top floors to be used for prayer, yes? “God for you Mr. Paterson”, why because he’s not Muslim because the Imam is involved in these conversations but what do you think

Karin

I agree. What could they possibly be thinking. Bring those troops home…and have them protect New York city. The whole purpose for sending those troops over was to keep the war away from home. Well looks like this isn’t the case. Oh ya and now tax payers now will have to pay for extra security to protect them. I am sure if we set up a protestant church in the middle of middle east cities, we would be met with open arms. NOT… or a matter of fact, have woman enter a country alone without any head gear NOT…so why is it we have to bow down just because.

Michael P

The building of this community center (not Mosque) is a symbol of how we are of a different mold than the totalitarian governments around the world that limit so many freedoms. We have to remember, every religion has had their share of disgusting and vile periods of time. Islam is a young religion, and rapidly growing. It’s not coincidental that they find most of this extremism at a time when they are experiencing rapid growth in the world. Of course if you go to another country you would get treated horribly for not being a Muslim. But this is America, the bastion of freedom and peace. We pride ourselves on the fact that you can practice your religion and faith without having fear of persecution! To even compare ourselves to middle eastern countries is an insult to the people who died that day. They died because of the freedoms that the terrorists hate here, the fact that all religions can live peacefully, in unity. Don’t feed into their hatred, we’re better than that.
Joe S

There are plenty of Protestant and Catholic churches all over the middle East, including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and just about every country in that area. Do your homework before you speak.

EroSennin

What about the fact that the imam is a Hamas supporter who believes the US was responsible for 9/11? Still happy about it getting built elsewhere?

Ed Hall

Where has the imam specifically said that he believes the US was responsible for 9/11 beyond the statement on 60 Minutes that U.S. policies were “an accessory to the crime that happened,” and said, “In … the most direct sense, Osama bin Laden was made in the USA.

noway

Absolutely not. No mosque on state land. Every symbol of our Christian heritage has been targeted for removal by the Left, and the ACLU. How dare government provide for land for a Mosque.

larry

I agree with “noway”. If the state were offering land to a Catholic or Baptist the dems would come unglued. No state land. No mosque near ground zero. Take your hate-driven, intolerant, anti-Christian, anti-Jew “religion” and get out of Dodge. As an American, I don’t want anything islamic in my country. It’s not a religion, it’s an excuse for beheading those they disagree with, raping their women, and stoning couples for being in love.
flangegpp

Let them build it on state land and then sue them. That way millions of dollars would be wasted by the terrorist supporting group. that money would go to NY workers instead.
Seriously Not

I agree! No government land, just tell them to move somewhere else.

john

Cheers! Here Here Nana!
KarlQ

Amen. This could be something Patterson could be proud of the rest of his life.
W Tebbetts

Arab Leaders are against building this Mosque:

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article104957.ece

But what do Arab Muslims think about the so-called “ground-zero mosque”?

“Many Muslims fear that the mosque will become a shrine for Islamists, which would remind Americans of what Muslims did on 9/11,” Dr. Gamal Abd Al-Gawad, director of Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo told The Media Line.

“Some people express concern that if the mosque will be built, it will harm Muslims and Islam in America. It’s not good for Muslims and Islam to be in the heart of such a controversy,” he added.

Cat

I think what Gov. Paterson is offering could work if the developers are willing to compromise and really show that it’s not about the location but about reaching out to America as a whole. However, I don’t think that the state land should be given without some monies being exchanged. I would propose that they pay annual land tax on the property that is assessed according to the taxes in that area.

I M PATRIOT

You people are simply cowards, and your not AMERICANS. YOU support the building of a Mosque on STATE OWNED LAND? When was the first or last time the government supplied property for a Christian Church, or a Jewish Synogogue for that matter?
Democrats are the party of coward appeasers, and your proving it more and more every day. COWARD!

Roger

Exactly! Why is this a state approved religion?
I thought the muslims were screaming about first amendment rights and now the state wants to violate it for them?

Fair is fair.
bill

Why do muslims get an exception to be given state landed? NY politicians have embraced their dhimmituse. They are the muslims “Useful Infidels”!
Cleary

Bravo! Well said.
Tommy

I agree. It might be worse to allow the mosque to be built on state land. C’mon democrats, put your brains in gear!
http://rhoda1956.wordpress.com WarCriminals

Where did you get this hair brained idea this is state owned land? It’s the prior location of Burlington Coat Factory, this is Private, understand Private land they purchased and got the proper permits and all necessary permits necessary for construction. Remember that wee thing called the First Amendment? I would say that in Istanbul was the last time one of the worlds largest Synagogue and many churches were built on state owned land in a 98% Muslim country.
Sir, if it were a Synagogue or church your so called Patriotic[ indeed, Patriot, I say you are the coward and completely unpatriotic without an iota of understanding of The Bill of Rights ]name for yourself is a feel good name to call yourself and you, Sir, are an appeaser of those with hate in your heart and an apathetic, inhumane, egregious hatred of all Mudlims for the criminal acts of a few. Shameful…
nowecant

calm down, no one is a coward.
John

I agree patriot, building a mosque on free government property is worse than where it’s already proposed…lol
LA

I totally agree. State land should not be used for religous purposes. Any religion for that matter. This is an solution that is just as bad as the developers wanting to use land near Ground Zero in the first place.
Benth164

Good for you, I M Patriot. My sentiments exactly!
Joe S

No dude, you are the coward. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying something so horrible. I am an ex-Marine and I have fought and taken several bullets to protect the constitution and the liberties of every American. Yes, that includes the 10 million peace loving Muslims who live and work and pray in this country. Don’t think that you are any better than them, You are NOT!! we are all equals, under god and the law. We are not at war with Islam, we are at war with Al-Qaida and the Taliban., the same Al-Qaida and an that kills terrorizes and tortures thousands and thousands of peace loving Muslims around the world. They don’t need you to violated by us as well as the Taliban and neither do the Muslims who live either. You sir are an ignorant person. And I am a proud New Yorker and a Catholic, just so you know…

tta

Why are the Muslims being offered the land for free..? No other religious organization would receive this special treatment.

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