I am a soldier in the US Army and I am a Muslim. I volunteered joining the military after Sep 11 because I love what this country stands for. But if my religion, beliefs and freedom are destroyed then what makes the US different from other extremist groups? We need to wake up and not let extremists re-write our constitution.

I believe in religious freedom. I believe in freedom of speech. Both are said to be guaranteed “rights” in the U.S. constitution.

That said . . . I believe it is ill-advised to build a mosque on “ground zero.” Whether Imam Feisal Abdul’s intent to build on “ground zero” is simply due to stubbornness or honorable intent remains to be seen. His stated intentions will be greeted by many Americans with a great deal of skepticism, disbelief and at times, outright anger. To build a mosque on an area that was decimated by Al-Qaeda Muslim terrorists . . . To build a mosque on an area where 2,751 individuals lost their lives on that fateful 9/11/2001 date due to acts involving unfathomable violence . . . To build a mosque on an area where countless thousands of family members and friends may still mourn and never forget the day that changed their lives . . . To build a mosque on this area . . . is offensive.

This statement is not to equate all Muslims or all those who believe in the Muslim faith with violence. Indeed, I believe many in the Muslim faith believe in and pray for peace and goodwill, as other religious groups do. The acts of terror on that day though, are the antithesis of any peaceful gesture. I believe this proposed mosque will only cause more division amongst the citizens of the United States and more unrest.

Two options instead of a mosque:

1. If one truly wants to build a house of “peace”, why not build a Baha’i temple? This faith believes in incorporating all religions equally and incorporates religious symbols of all faiths into its structures.
2. Have this area (“ground zero”) recognized as a National historical site or National landmark, barring anyone from building any religious symbolic building on this site. Designate this area as a park with ponds and benches. A place to reflect, to remember, (pray if so desired) and to honor those who had once lived amongst us.

Nothing he could say would satisfy the bigots. Just build the thing.

I believe in the intention of those people trying to build a mosque or a multi-faith building near the ground zero and I also believe in the Americans constitutional right, but I think somebody has to give way here just for the respect of those innocent people who were victims of the atrocities made by a few Muslims. Let this be not an issue of rights or religion but an issue of respect of the feelings of the humans affected by the past tragedy. On the the hindsight, letting a mosque built near the ground zero is a triumph of America and democracy itself because it will show to the world that despite the grave grief, of the family of those Americans who lost their lives in 9/11, despite the biggest insult of building a monument of the religion in one way or another was linked to the tragedy, Americans still have to swallow the bitter pill just to show to the world what it takes to be a democratic country. It is just ironic that this time Americans are asking the family of those who already suffered the tragedy the most to sacrifice their feelings for the second time just to be an American.

you cannot blame anybody who doubts anything said by a muslim because in the quran they are allowed to kill or lie to the infidels in order to promote the interests of islam. inside the library you have the right to talk but you are requested to be silent out of respect for others. the reason is common sense. muslims have the right to build the mosque in that place but common sense also dictates to consider the feelings of other people especially those who lost their love ones in the 9/11 attack. what were not specifically written in the constitution can be filled up with common sense.

OK, little boys and girls. In 20-40 years from now, no one will question the building of a Mosque near Ground Zero. Humans are emotional beings, and building one 9 years after 9/11 is a little too close to the tragedy. Shinto temples were not built at Pearl Harbor in 1951, I’m sure. Also, this country was founded on Judeo-Christian ethics. Read the Constitution. If the Imam gave it some time, I’m sure no one would object. I, too, question is adamancy on building the Mosque right now, so close to a tragic, almost holy, site.

HI jp: Thanks for explaining that the term only applies a system of life for Muslims to follow. Now explain how follwing that system of life interacts with Muslims toward non-Muslims?

wake up americans 9/11 criminal attack killed many moslems too and who was behind that crimina action was not a moslem

TO jp: Thanks for explaining that the term only applies a system of life for Muslims to follow. Now explain how follwing that system of life interacts with Muslims toward non-Muslims?

I wonder how well it would go over with the Muslim communities in Iraq, Pakistan, or Afghanistan if our CIA decided to build Christian shrines near the locations where our Predator drones took out Muslim terrorists.

Dan Te,
your half wit mind is already set, doesn’t matter what others say. you’d make excellent KKK recruitment. the ones that blew up the buildlings had exact your mentality. thank god, founding father’s didn’t share your view. you seem a young gung ho, you should travel outside US and experience cultures & religion and politics.

TO jp:
Did ylou know that after the Pear Harbor attack, federal officials closed it and sent its priest back to Japan?. But by late 1947, its adherents started it up again, without any fanfare or New York mosque hollering and posturing. Then a year later, federal officers raided it, shut it down, and Washington confiscated the property as alien-owned.

What do the 9/11 families of the Muslim victims have to say about this Islamic Center? Does it hurt their feelings? And yes, radical Muslims kill lots of people world wide. Who do they blow up the most? Other Muslims, like the ones who would build this center. Osama would be just as happy to see this thing not be built as would the USA anti-mosque folks. You judge people by the company they keep.

Everything needs to be accounted for. Despite 9/11 being 32 dark skinned Muslims, remember it’s a religion and not a race. There are Bosnia muslims, french muslims, italian muslims, german muslims, american muslims, just like there are italian catholics, german catholics, bosnian catholics, american catholics. If there’s a link to anyone being a terrorist, take them out. That’s why the Patriot act was put into effect. But if American muslims are trying to pray and no red flags went off that the FBI and CIA know about and we don’t, then leave them alone.

Marie; you’re pretty stupid you know that. You and Dante together.

Notice how the good imam does not once address any questions put to him with regard of insisting on thislocation at all costs, the change of the name from cordoba to park 51, the sharia law compliance of US and his freindly association with and endorsement from Hamas. Lets not forget grand opening of 9/11/2011.
sheep in wolf’s clothing indeed.

I really wish both sides would leave September 11th alone out of respect for the families. Cant the protests be on the 10th or 12th?

Bottom line, it’s becoming crystal clear that the latest problem this country is facing is that we’ve got people that believe the Constitution’s rights can be given and taken away because we don’t like someone’s ethnicity, religion, etc.

During the Bush era, I heard alot of talk about who was being a real American and who wasn’t. But I gotta say, if THIS isn’t un-American, I don’t know what is.

And with that, I step down.

LOL TommyF. Well played.

Oh sorry Dan, It’s just that I tend to ignore stupidity.

Similar Muslim projects have expressed ” ideals that include service to humanity, speaking out against injustice, and promoting a high moral standard amongst society” through “the implementation of a program that seeks to achieve these ideals which they call Iqamat-ud-Deen, the establishment of the Islamic system of life. ” Would the Imam like to address these concerns? It begs to ask the question if Japanese Americans did not not build a Shinto place of worship or community center at or near Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of WW11, why are Muslim Americans so adamant in in their building of this project? Does this Imam beleive in Iqamat-ud-Deen, the establishment of the Islamic system of life? ” To say this project must be built is inconsistent with the American values of being compassionate toward your fellow American. So is this Imam truly compassionate to others or does he have an overriding passion for Iqamat-ud-Deen, the establishment of the Islamic system of life?

Oh…oh I see what you did there, Dan, using that old “Reading is Fundamental” tag-line and turning it into a snide quip.

Oh yes, how clever. Bravo…no really, BRA-VO.

Did I say anything about murderers walking around free? No. What I said was that not all Muslims are terrorists or seeking to destroy this country’s way of life.

Just like I believe that not all Republicans are homophobic bible-thumpers who can’t wrap it around their heads that anyone other than a white male in his fifties to sixties can be president.

However, YOUR comments, or at least what you’re suggesting indirectly, is that every single Muslim in the world is an evil terrorist mastermind, plotting to destroy our country.

Or at the very least, all the Muslims here should be punished for the actions of the nutcase extremists. Tell me, Dan: when a person goes to Jail for murder, do you punish his or her entire family for the individual’s actions? Do you spit on every German you see because of what their country did in WW2?

Most rational people are able to separate the rational from the irrational. It’s clear that you were not born with ability.

Inconsiderate; Unsympathetic; Inviting/inciting trouble from extreists on both sidesof the issue, such action is inevitable. The Imam had too anticipate these repercussions when considering this site. he had numerous choices in selecting a site … I have too question his motives!

By your logic many people throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East could say these very things about white people and the havoc they have caused. Your logic is twisted and vile.

This really is a tough one and Im torn myself, as both a believer in freedom to worship and a NYer. Itd be best for all if a compromise could be reached and they could find a different site nearby.