As has become the tradition, the recent anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 served as a time of reflection and remembrance for those who perished. However, it has also become tradition for politicians and pundits to selfishly use the tragedies of that day to further an agenda. This year, unfortunately, was no different. This year’s hot button issue was, and still is, the proposed “mosque at ground zero.” Conservatives are claiming the proposed mosque to be a slap in the face of all those who died in the attacks. These conservatives say this mosque will serve as a training ground for terrorists who will naturally perpetrate more attacks on American soil.
In reality, this “mosque” will actually be an Islamic community center and will not be at ground zero, but rather several blocks away. Those in opposition do not seem to want to be bothered with facts, nor do the most vocal want to be bothered with the Bill of Rights.
The First Amendment guarantees all American citizens, among other things, the freedom to practice whatever religion he or she chooses as long as it does not impede on anyone else’s liberties. An Islamic community center in Manhattan, open to the public, would not hinder another person. In fact, it will likely benefit the community at large by giving people a place to go to that is not the streets.
The most disturbing aspect of this issue is the intolerance directed towards the Islamic community. Those who oppose the building of the Islamic community center in Manhattan try to lead people to believe that all Muslims are terrorists, which could potentially lead to more violence.
Ironically, the large majority of those spreading the anti-Islam sentiment claim to be practicing Christians, a religion that both preaches to love your neighbor and has proven historically to be the least tolerant of other religions.
There have been countless events throughout history in which Christianity showed its intolerance, including the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition. Even in modern America, radical Christians sometimes murder people claiming to be doing God’s work. Christians are not being hindered from building new churches because of these atrocities carried out by the few.
There is no justification for any type of murder, even in the name of whatever god an individual claims. The tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001 will forever be etched in the minds of all those who were affected, whether it is because a loved one was lost or simply from witnessing the terror of that day. Those in politics and the media who use the building of the Islamic community center in Manhattan as a political tool disrespect and dishonor those who died in the attacks. Honor those who perished not by fanning the flames of hate, but by practicing tolerance and respect. Accept people for who they are, not by what they believe.
The Ground Zero Mosque has caused quite a controversy all over the United States. The question is whether or not a Mosque should be built near the site of the Islamic terrorist attack on the Twin Towers nine years ago. President Obama and the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, both agree that Muslims have the right to build a Mosque where they desire. The Mosque will be built by a private organization and will be open to all who wish to use the facilities. The Mosque will span 15 stories high and will not only be a place of worship, but also contain a swimming pool, basketball court, 500 -seat auditorium, library, day-care facility, restaurant and cooking school.
In a recent White House speech, President Obama explained that Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as everyone else in America. The Mosque would cost around $100 million dollars and would focus on expanding an Islamic community. However, according to CNN in a recent poll, 70 percent of Americans disagree with President Obama’s decision. Republicans such as Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich are strongly opposed to the idea of building the Mosque just a couple of blocks from the site where nearly 3,000 innocent Americans perished at the hands of Islamic terrorism. The Governor of New York, David Paterson, attempted to provide state land for the building of the Mosque to attempt to eliminate any more disputes. Patterson even went on to say that he would make sure the Mosque would be partly sponsored by the state.
“Frankly, if the sponsors were looking for property anywhere at a distance that would be such that it would accommodate a better feeling among the people who are frustrated, I would look into trying to provide them with the state property they would need,” Paterson said.
It is not the Mosque that people are opposed to necessarily, but the idea of it being so close to the Ground Zero site. Also, the opening day for the Mosque will be September 11, 2011. Obviously, the Muslim organizations choice for their opening day is a bit troubling. Some of the victims’ families were interviewed and while some agreed, others strongly disagreed with New York City’s future plans. Mayor Bloomberg insists that “we would play into our enemies’ hands” if we deny the Muslims their religious freedom to build what they want. He added, “To cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists.” On the opposing viewpoint, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Rashed, general manager of Al-Arabiya television, also criticized the project in a column titled “A House of Worship or a Symbol of Destruction?”
We live in a country with more religious freedom than any other, yet this issue is tearing America apart. Whether the Mosque is built or not, we should as a nation strive to be able to compromise with all other religious backgrounds of the world. To be able to tolerate and accept one another for who they are is the key to world peace.
I did not personally know anyone who died on 9/11. I had an uncle who was en route to an office in the Pentagon when it was attacked by terrorists, but he was uninjured, only stranded in an airport half-way across the country.
On that day, I was young enough not to know much about Al-Qaida or Jihad, and only knew scant things about Islam from a friend at school whose mother had immigrated from Iran but still held fire jumping parties every year.
Nine years later, I’m confident enough to say that I know significantly more. We, as a country, are at war with Islamic extremists who wish to do us harm and threaten our way of life. We are not at war with a religion, a specific country or race. War these days is less about marching orders and higher ground than it is about suicide bombs and shooting at shadows. Things change. Tactics change. This is recognized.
The stickiness of the placement of the New York mosque is not because a community center is near a site so emotional for so many, but that a site that cannot technically be stopped on legal grounds is so near. There is nothing illegal about this mosque being in this location, and that’s what has gotten so many people so upset; the very principles they have decided to fight and let their countrymen die for are now coming back to bite them. You can’t bang the table with one hand and smooth things out with the other and call that democratic process.
Do I think the placement of such an institution is an insensitive act on the part of the organization that controls it? Yes, yes I do. Do I think that this is a dangerous breeding ground for individuals who pose a threat to Americans? Possibly. But do I believe that this is reason enough to change or ignore laws to fit one, singular way of thinking? No, I firmly and whole-heartedly do not.
America was founded on the principle that governments squash the rights of the individual, religious or social or otherwise. Some people call us a “Christian” nation, but I beg to differ. We are a nation of outcasts, cast-offs and hopefuls. Two centuries ago, certain Christians were considered dangerous for listening to the Pope. Now, these sorts of christians are considered to be faithful, loyal citizens. Those who distrust these people are not seen as justified or patriotic in their opinion.
Our greatest duty as Americans is to remember that this is a two way street, and that making sure we have freedom to conduct our personal affairs and express our personal beliefs is only half of our responsibility. The other half, perhaps the half less talked about as of late, is the responsibility to make sure those whose beliefs differ from our own have equal respect, and equal rights. Ask to build a mosque in a risky area, this is your right. But then consider what it will do to your countrymen, and how they will henceforth perceive you, if you want to truly be considered American.
Tony Fioriglio is a student at West Chester University. He can be reached at AF650463@wcupa.edu.
Lisa DellaPorta is a student at West Chester University majoring in English Education. She can be reached at LD6315851@wcupa.edu.