Who Is The Man Behind The Ground Zero Mosque?

Developer Of Community Center Has Lengthy Record, With Numerous Arrests Dating Back To 1990

August 30, 2010 11:36 PM

Sharif El-Gamal (Photo by Frank Franklin II-Pool/Getty Images)

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NEW YORK (CBS 2) — As the Ground Zero mosque controversy continues to simmer, questions continue about the background of the man who wants to build the $100 million Islamic cultural and religious center.

Mosque developer Sharif El-Gamal has often been reluctant to answer questions.

After he won the right to tear down the 152-year-old building blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks, El-Gamal got defensive when asked about the mosque by CBS 2′s Marcia Kramer.

“It’s a community center, if you call it a community center, we would talk,” El-Gamal said.

Kramer reports the developer’s reluctance to talk may have been related to his prior run-ins with the law.

His most recent arrest was in 2005 for assault on a man he met while working as a waiter at Serafina Restaurant, who sublet an apartment from his brother. He reportedly punched the man, breaking his nose and cheekbone and spit on him.

El-Gamal first said he didn’t hit the man, but arrest documents obtained by CBS 2 showed he later conceded “his face could have run into my hand.”

Records showed El-Gamal also had trouble coming up with the $15,000 settlement reached in 2008, and had to pay interest . El-Gamal also has a number of other arrests on his record:

-In 1990, he was arrested in Nassau County and pled guilty to disorderly conduct.

-In 1992, he pled guilty in Nassau to DWI and paid a $350 fine.

-In 1993, he pled guilty in Nassau to attempted petit larceny and paid a $100 fine.

-In 1994, arrested for disorderly conduct in Manhattan.

-In 1998, there was another Manhattan disorderly conduct arrest.

-In 1999, yet another Manhattan disorderly conduct arrest.

A potential problem for the mosque developer is a deposition he gave in the assault case in October 2007. When asked if he was ever convicted or pled guilty to a crime, El-Gamal replied “no.”

Lately, he has been trying to resurrect his image, sitting down for a lengthy 60 Minutes interview with Scott Pelley.

When Pelley asked if it occurred to him that putting a project so close to Ground Zero would heighten tensions, El-Gamal replied “not at all.”

“I did not hold myself or my faith accountable for the tragedy,” El-Gamal said.

El-Gamal also owes over $227,000 in unpaid real estate taxes and a spokesman for the Department of Finance said interest will be added for each and every day its unpaid.

Another question surrounding the debate is whether the Muslim cleric of the mosque — Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf — knew about El-Gamal’s criminal background and unpaid taxes before partnering with him.

El-Gamal refused repeated requests from CBS 2 Monday to comment on the story.

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Who Is The Man Behind The Ground Zero Mosque?

G.I.had

Lightbulb! Investigate the shady man and follow the money trail. Delay or convict and community organizer center falls!
InfidelHere

Look…evil wins when good deoes nothing. There should be NO mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over. I hat it! If that makes me hate ‘evil’, than so be it!

This proposed “Cordoba House” overlooking the World Trade Center site — where a group of muslim jihadists killed over 3000 Americans and destroyed one of our most famous landmarks — is a test of the timidity, passivity and historic ignorance of American elites. For example, most muslim apologists don’t understand that “Cordoba House” is a deliberately insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain — the capital of Muslim conquerors who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards by transforming a church there into the world’s third-largest mosque complex.

Today, some of the Mosque’s backers insist this term is being used to “symbolize interfaith cooperation” when, in fact, every Islamist in the world recognizes Cordoba as a symbol of Islamic conquest. It is a sign of their contempt for Americans and their confidence in our historic ignorance that they would deliberately insult us this way.

Those Islamists and their apologists who argue for “religious toleration” are arrogantly dishonest. They ignore the fact that more than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian or Jew can even enter Mecca as the word ‘islma’ itselfs means “peace” IF (huge ‘IF’ here) when one “submits & surrenders to their way of life (sharia) and their allah.” Otherwise…there is NO peace. Never has , never will be!

And muslims and their appeasers lecture US about tolerance. Give me a break!

If the people behind the Cordoba House were serious about religious toleration, they would be imploring the Saudis, as fellow Muslims, to immediately open up Mecca to all and immediately announce their intention to allow non-Muslim houses of worship in the Kingdom. They should be asked by the news media if they would be willing to lead such a campaign.

We have not been able to rebuild the World Trade Center in nine years. Now we are being told a 13-story, $100 million megamosque will be built within a year overlooking the site of the most devastating surprise attack in American history.

Finally where is the money coming from? The people behind the Cordoba House refuse to reveal all their funding sources.

America is experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of our elites are the willing apologists for those who would destroy them if they could.

No mosque.

No self deception.

No surrender.

The time to take a stand is now — at this site on this issue. Enough is enough when you surrender to Islam!

Jason Stone

Well Said. BTW There is a Catholic Church in Saudi Arabia

Bob

Where? I heard the same thing about a mosque in the Pentagon that turned out to be a non-denominational chapel.
Wondering

Was it ever actually completed? I know the pope was in negotiations with the Saudis a couple of years ago. The church was supposed to be for the Filipino workers there. I’m not sure how it’s supposed to work. They still don’t allow Bibles.

Tony L

United States in not Saudi Arabia. Newyork does not belong to any one religion. By our constitution we cannot exclude any one religion either. You may have to change the constitution to achieve your goals. Get Real!!!

porcorosso

He should run for president. We know enough abut him now to give him the keys to the nation.
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/politics/224450-nobama-backs-building-mosque-ground-zero-8.html#post2168588 Nobama Backs Building of Mosque At Ground Zero – Page 8 – TDR Roundtable

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WriteLoudly

The way I see it …….on a superficial level.

The mosque/center steals the thunder of 911 and all it implies.

Bottom line this isn’t Fashion Week and we are not to be “out-done” because the “another” gal has a shiner more expensive dress.
TxnByBrth

I see the CBS logo attached to this news story but am skeptical it is really CBS…this reads too much like a real news story with background investigations, supporting evidence and proper confirmation of the facts…are you sure this is a CBS story?

WriteLoudly

I know right! I’m pretty sure I just saw pigs flying outside my office window.
Proud American

What ever happen to majority rules?

And the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few?

I do not know one people who wants this……
Proud American

What ever happen to majority rules?

And the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few?

I do not know one person who wants this……

Ben In Texas

To quote AJ “Majority rules is two wolves and a sheep voting on what’s for dinner.” Luckily, Proud American, America is a constitutional republic so if 51% of the nation votes to imprison the other 49% the Constitution is there to curb that kind of nonsense. Re-evaluate your understanding of patriotism sir.

Ken JP Stuczynski

Can’t you people even read — or think?

How is a paid contractor “The Man Behind the Mosque”? CBS can’t even get it straight that only a small portion of the building would be used for Mosque-like activities at best. But why are commenters here so stupid to assume it’s being built by HIS money?

Seriously, Non-Story.

Peter Courtenay Stephens

Look at the length of his nose. Penochio would be proud.
Dean

Your naivete is mind boggling!
Mike “My Given Name” Cope

“Mosque like activities….” That’s priceless. After all the cameras go away and after the “community center” has wrapped up the dog-and-pony show of interfaith tolerance, what part of the “community” do you think this center will serve? Gonna host a lot of bar mitzvahs are they? Lot’s of baptisms planned? We’ll see.

Seriously, this is a non-story… Really? Then why have you spent so much of your time arguing about it, Ken?

Patriot

Because of greed, this mosque will be built….mark my words!
Prof. Helen McCaffrey

Thank you CBS @ for doing some investigation. I hope Congress does not investigate you for doing so.
This is just a scam using religion to fleece new Yorkers and make a fortune. You would think a capitalist like Bloomberg would have caught on by now.
Oh that’s right he has business interests in the Middle East.

Regulas

Right on Professor

Dusty of VA

-In 1992, he pled guilty in Nassau to DWI and paid a $350 fine.

I thought alcohol was against the Muslim religion…..
For such a peaceful religion, he sure has alot of dis-orderly conduct charges.

Ken JP Stuczynski

Another bigoted comment.

Joe

He just pointed out the obvious FACTS.
Ken JP Stuczynski

No, he ridiculed a religion based on an individual’s character. That’s pretty much bigoted.
john

ken….you are a complete idiot!
Nunya

Definition of BIGOT
: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
——————————–
He simply pointed out the mans failure to adhere to a strict ethic standard of his own choosing. I think people here can see who the person with ethnic issue is. I know that being wrong by definition wont stop your broken logic. But at least the rest of the commenters know you are well… worthless. At least here…..
Ken JP Stuczynski

Your ability to use Webster doesn’t impress me. You can always find a definition in one or more dictionaries that doesn’t fit the meaning of it’s use by a person — even a legitimate use that denotatively or connotatively is understood in context.

And in this context, it refers to implicitly or explicitly extending characteristics to a whole group of people and judging them in such a way that there is no logical refutation acceptable to them.

Sorry … the bigot label stands, and in spades.

And if some of you used your real names, your ancestors would be eternally embarrassed for you.
mike

If the guy is promoting himself as a leader within the “Religion of Peace,” and police records indicate that he has a history of violent behavior, then someone points out that disparity, how is that bigoted? Muslims can use the term “Religion of Peace,” to promote that ideal, yet non-Muslims are forbidden from using the term to point out when adherents of Islam fall short of the ideal? Now THAT’S bigoted. So if we can’t trust the guy to tell the truth about his peaceful past, or pay his taxes or settlements against him why should we believe him when he says the mosque isn’t a mosque, it’s a community center?
???

Ken–have you ever said anything derogatory about Christians?

Go Dusty!

Dusty has a point. Remember when Muslim cabbies in Minnesota refused to give rides to anyone who’d been drinking or was carrying alcohol? They said it was because it’s against their religion to transport alcohol. Maybe it’s not against the rules to transport it in your own stomach. Or maybe the rules are different in NY???

adangerousmind

Since this is a community center and not a mosque, New Yorks homeless rate is up 50%, this might be a solution. And, thanks to freedom of religion our homeless can pray to whichever god they choose in their new community center.

Bry Guy

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian

My big question is hey CBS…who are you and what have you done with CBS?!
THIS is reporting a story. Well done for a change

Greg

I think it is the same CBS with emphasis on BS. They could have dug a lot deeper into the financing. This seems like a shallow attempt to look like a real news organization.

Sheik Yourbootie

No room for debate OR story here. INVESTIGATE anyone who opposes. Paint them as Jingoistic, Racist, Bigot. Close minded. End debate. Move on.

Ken JP Stuczynski

I don’t beleive in playing the racism card, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of bigots weighing in here and elsewhere. It is not justifyable and needs to stop.

john

make me stop . loser

Daniel Twelve

The First Amendment is pretty clear, you have to admit. That means there is no legal recourse. If you were really offended, I’d suggest getting the Republicans to approve funding to provide for the medical expenses of 9/11 first responders that got sick as a result of working at Ground Zero. That measure was blocked in Congress by the Republicans. Talk about dishonoring the heroes of 9/11!

all for one

Logic fail. There are many reasons to deny this group their proposed location. This in no way is a 1st amendment question. Skip to page 2 of the talking points, I’ll wait. . .
Steve

How could the Republicans have blocked funding to 9/11 first responders? The Democrats have a an overwhelming majority in both houses of congress, they can pass anything they want to even if every single Republican votes against it.

This is merely a distraction raised by you to draw attention away from your indefensible views regarding the ground zero mosque

one for all

As soon as victory mosque supporters denounce shariah, condemn terrorist acts, and declare that women have equal rights to men, I will support their clubhouse at Ground Zero. Until then, I will resist.

hausfrau

Well, I doubt we will see this reported in the lamestream, oops- I mean mainstream media! Who thinks this will show up on national NBC, ABC, CBS, New York Times, Washington Post . . . . . . .?
justavet

A Muslim arrested and convicted of DUI? Wait a second, the arrest record must be a right wing conspiracy.

Daniel Twelve

Hmm, didn’t George Bush also have a DUI? Damn that liberal MSM! The Right’s conspiracy theories are true!

Twisted

Is there a point in there somewhere Danny boy? Or did you just see an opening to Bush-bash (not that you needed a reason)?
Neko Shousui

So did Ted Kennedy…..Remember the bridge???

john smith

It was not The Muslims that have declared war on the US; it is Islam that has declared war. That is the reason wehad no specific country on 9/11. ….And it has been planned since Jimmy Carter.
This fellow , Developer, is a middle man type who is related to some one important by marriage or is a hidden cousin.

billy barty

you idiot…..is there a difference between muslims and islam??? NO, they all want to kill us!

WriteLoudly

If they were truly legitimate why would they not consider the overwhelming community sentiment? Again, if they were truly legitimate why would they come into an environment they were clearly not welcome? Everything they are doing screams segregation from the community; from paying $4.8 million in cash, to the undisclosed backers of the future building, to the possible ties to terrorist.

This is not the Middle East, which I presume is way they have chosen to live here. As such its not like the Middle East is tolerate of other faiths themselves. The burden is on them to assimilate to the community not the community. And when did “No” become a bad word?
Gamal al Fuqwad

It’s a local matter, I, uh, have no comment.

just say no to globalism

this is pretty serious stuff. he owes a lot of money, cant these muslims come up with a better poster child.. hes a freaking terrorist.

jim

So we have a bad-tempered waiter that owes 200k in back taxes as the developer of a $100,000,000.00 project.
No story here

Becky

HAHAHAHA! Love it. The liberal media keep using the same jedi mind trick: “Nothing to see here.” Thankfully, it’s not working on everyone.

Amertor

I would not be surprise if this guy is a close adviser of Hussein Obama.

Daniel Twelve

You think you’d be surprised then, well then I bet you’ll be out of your mind when you learn the actual truth! Actually the money guy is the business partner of Rupert Murdoch. Prince Al Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia. Wow – guilt by association, except it’s really the founder of Fox News doing the associating! Your little inuendo is false, but the above fact is true! What are you going to do now, rebel against your News Corp masters?

Robert

Blah blah blah blah blah. This must be the only thing you know how to spout. Republicans are evil, Bush is to blame, Fox News is in bed with Saudis… YAAAAAAWNNNNN…

Guest

No, just a business partner with Fox news…

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/8/22/895277/-Fox-News-co-owner-funds-terror-dollars-for-NY-mosque-effort

Me2

And we all know how reliable the Daily Kos is. “Hello, Kettle? This is pot. You’re black.” That’s your source? Seriously? LMAO

Janet

Seriously! Where did the guy the money to pay for this. He was a waiter just 5 years ago. What has he been doing the past 5 years? Not impossible to become uber rich in that span but highly unlikely.

thegratefuldad

How did he make all that money in 5 years

Maybe he could have done it the American way.

He became a US politician!
Daniel Twelve

Seriously! Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal, the second largest shareholder of News Corp outside of the Murdoch family (7% at least), parent company of the NY Post and Fox News. That’s where the funding is coming from. But you know what? I bet after you learn the truth you’re still going to be asking the same question, because you don’t like the real answer. Well deal with it. Fox News is in bed with the Saudi Royal family.

mariel

Silly, that’s why FOX news was the first on the beat to break this story. Now other media outlets and papers are putting down their bongs and following suit. I’ll give CBS credit, too. I thought they were gonna give El-Gamal a foot-massage while interviewing him.
Robert

Yawn. Do you have another line to spew? Just like Obama’s ties to radicals doesn’t make him guilty, Fox’s ties to Saudi don’t make them complicit. Come up with some fact-based arguments or shut the hell up. Talk about spouting the party line.
Alan

Murdoch currently runs Fox News and the dirty muslims are attempting a buyout so all US news agencies are dishonest branches of the Democrat Party.

Ken JP Stuczynski

“Dirty Muslims”? Is that more acceptable these days than “dirty Jpas” during WWII or “dirty Jews” supposedly taking over global finance and Hollywood?

Is “Muslim” the new “Black”?

Ben In Texas

Sorry Daniel. You didn’t do your homework and are making unfounded claims.
Here are your funders and you might enjoy the two familiar names getting top honor…time to rise and shine buddy

Here are the funders, sir. You’re being played by old money elitists that want you to get fightin mad so they can have a profitable war. Wake up.

•Carnegie Corporation of New York
•Rockefeller Brothers
•Rockefeller Philanthropy
•Rockefeller Brothers Fund
•Global Fund for Women
•William & Mary Greve Foundation
•The Sister Fund
•The Russell Family Foundation
•Danny Kaye & Sylvia Fine Foundation
•Graham Charitable Foundation
•Deak Family Foundation
•Henry Luce Foundation
•The Elizabeth Foundation
•The Ms. Foundation
•Hunt Alternatives
FreeUlysses

DTwelve, there’s not a test of who can buy your stock based on whether you would like in bed with them or not. If a sheik wants to buy assloads of newscorp stock, I’ll be happy to see him mine at a profit. How is Murdoch or anyone else to say he can’t buy it? We’re not denying the fact, just saying it doesn’t mean anything. If you take a company public, then anyone in the public can buy your stock. That’s how it goes. You don’t get to pick your buyers based on political leanings or who you want to go to bed with.

RationalThoughts

he has raised less than $20,000 out of the desired $100,000,000. This may be much ado about nothing

http://www.talkdrudge.com/2010/08/31/tv-who-is-the-man-behind-the-ground-zero-mosque/ TV: Who Is The Man Behind The Ground Zero Mosque?…

[...] Statistics Follow the original link Last Updated: August 31, 2010 0 Comments [...]
no2mosque

More Bureaucratic BS…. GO OSAMA .. I MEAN OBAMA
Miltary gurl

HMMMMM…… I am going to have to say… from the Muslims that declared war against us on 9/11 and the ones that are in NYC and perhaps the one that lives in our WHITE HOUSE

kaiser

I think you are someone who most probably is high on crack

Mhu Cao

Even so, if someone high on crack can connect the dots, there must be something to it.

Besides, it’s clear that you are in no position to judge anyone else.

Nick

So where did this stereotypically “peaceful” muslime get that $4.8 million in CASH to pay for that building? Tips must be real good as a waiter.

Daniel Twelve

Prince Al-Waleed of the Saudi Royal Family is both a major contributor to the Cordoba Project and the second largest shareholder of News Corp (parent company of NY Post, Fox News, and the Wall Street Journal) outside of the Murdoch family. So who is funding this building? The same exact guy bringing you Fox News. All true.

3puttking

when fox news runs airplanes into buildings, we can talk.
JinTX

What is your point? Does a tie to Fox News somehow make this a moot point? Or are you one of those “right side/left side” narrow thinkers who assume people opposed to this are Fox News viewers, people who support it are NPR listeners?
sultan habeeb al la weed

you muslims are told by your false koran its o.k. to lie to the infidels……HEY WAIT A MINUTE……..THATS US! you guys are so tricky and we are so dumb.
Rick

What you fail to mention is that second place represents 7% ownership.
Just Sayin’

David Twelve,

Just because someone holds shares in News Corp – even 7% – doesn’t mean they have a say in the daily interactions of the corporation. They can vote for Board Members, but thats about it.

To say Fox is funding the Cordoba house because a shareholder (Prince Al-Walee) supports it, is like saying Apple promotes Cigarettes because my neighbor has stock in both Apple and Phillip Morris.

Quite frankly, if I had the money I would buy stock in News Corp too. Have you seen Fox News ratings. No other cable news comes close.
Guest

Yikes. I hope you aren’t a logic student or planning a career where you will be involved in logical debate.
FloridaJoe55

One of the complaints about the Ground Zero Mosque is the lack of transparency of the funding. While I’m sure Saudi Arabia would be involved, among other Muslim nations, what’s your source for Al-Waleed and did it mention any others?
edword

yeah sure anything you say there pal.
“deergal”

SO “MANY THANKS” for THAT PERTINENT INSIGHT that few could give!!!
Also, “THANKS for just THINKING!” Very few CAN DO that either! These facts “FIT!”
Sue G

you are an idiot. I guess Fox news is a Muslim front. Thanks for the heads up.
Bud

Here’s something else that is true, shares of News Corp are traded on secondary markets and can be purchased by anyone with a trading account. It’s no real surprise that he chose News Corp to invest in… Just compare their ratings to those of CNN and MSNBC…
http://facebook.com/Objectif2012 nyamat2012

we should stop prejudices against muslims!

Derek

Owner of NBC-UNIVERSAL is behind this too.

Look at the Mosque’s supporters on their own website, it’s Rockefeller.

http://www.asmasociety.org/about/p_support.html
God

May I be with you my son. There is only one way in which you can win. This is the only time i will provide this answer, so read carefully and think.

To win you must do one thing, indict those who are fraudulent in the court of opinion. NOT THE MEDIA.

Here is how to do it my son, create a website. It’s goal is to indict the frauds in gov, media, business, and public sphere, then allow the public sphere to boil the indictment like a thermometer to a point, at that point the indictment forms a result; like PRISON SENTENCES for crimes against America (320 Million Residents, excluding the criminals from the count).

Then after a certain amount of time the website indictment turns into a grand jury.

It is time my son.

My son the mosque man is an evil man be weary, be warned.
God

May I be with you my son. There is only one way in which you can win. This is the only time i will provide this answer, so read carefully and think.

To win you must do one thing, indict those who are fraudulent in the court of opinion. NOT THE MEDIA.

Here is how to do it my son, create a website. It’s goal is to indict the frauds in gov, media, business, and public sphere, then allow the public sphere to boil the indictment like a thermometer to a point, at that point the indictment forms a result; like PRISON SENTENCES for crimes against America (320 Million Residents, excluding the criminals from the count).

Then after a certain amount of time the website indictment turns into a grand jury.

It is time my son.

My son the mosque man is an evil man be weary, be warned.
Eric

Sadly enough assault disorderly conduct is about as peaceful as they come.
B Soetoro

Blue eyed Arab?

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Who Is The Man Behind The Ground Zero Mosque?

Developer Of Community Center Has Lengthy Record, With Numerous Arrests Dating Back To 1990

August 30, 2010 11:36 PM

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