Local Muslim Leader Against Building an Islamic Center at Ground Zero Rodney
Brown Polls indicate that the majority of Americans are outraged that an Islamic center is scheduled to be built near Ground Zero. The anger of Americans quickly shifted towards President Obama when he made a speech supporting the Islamic center being built. Obama stated his intention was to simply let people know what he thought which was that in this country, everybody is treated equally in accordance with the law; regardless of someone's race or religion." After the speech, many Americans and political opponents pounced on Obama for "supporting the Center's construction." Two days later the President clarified his statements: "I was commenting very specifically on the right that people have that dates back to our founding. That's what our country's about and I think it's very important that as difficult as some issues are, we stay focused on who we are as a people and what our values are all about," he said. I didn't state it was the right place to construct the center." White House officials have stated the President will not make anymore comments in regards to the center being built. Many political insiders say the President has abandoned the issue in fear of political retribution against Democrats in the upcoming mid-term elections. What do some Muslims in Syracuse think? - Brother Hasan, the Imam at Abdullah Islamic Center on Brighton Avenue, believes the Islamic center should not be built near Ground Zero. "The center has the right to built but the proprietors of the building must recognize the climate and atmosphere where it's going to built," said Brother Hasan. "I don't think it would be good for Muslims in the area. It will put distaste in people." In a poll conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Center over 67 percent of Americans opposed the center being built, while 34 percent said they support it. Protesters have been active around the sight voicing their opinion regarding why the center should not be built. "Barack Obama has abandoned America at the place where America's heart has been broken nine years ago and where her true values were on display for all to see," said Debra Burlingame, a spokeswoman for Sept.11 victims' families. Questioning the actions of protesters- Brother Hasan said, everybody has a right to freedom of speech and protest but he also believes with free speech comes certain ramifications. "When you're trying to vilify a religion, the freedom of speech is lost because then, it allows biasness to raise its ugly head," he said. "The Christian religion has also caused a lot of suffering among innocent populations." "The Quran commands the use of foresight and hindsight. It allows tolerance to take place in order to bring forth peace, compassion and understanding around a matter," Brother Hasan said. "When someone is trying to paint a picture of you draw a different picture. Don't meet that force with the same kind of force."
Rep. Peter King of NY added, "President Obama is wrong. It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero where nearly 3,000 people perished." "I think people out there saying, the President is this and the President is that are people trying to divide the country for personal reasons," said Brother Hasan. Brother Hasan believes Obama took the right stance on the issue. "He's the President of the United States. He has to defend the U.S. Constitution. Everyone has the right to practice their religion and if all permits to build are clear -they should have the right to erect the structure of their choice. He added, the President also said, he understood the sensitive issues around the center being built. "I believe if the proprietors decide not to build the center because of the sensitivities around issue; the many Americans who are upset will begin to see Islam for what it truly represents. This is a perfect opportunity to bring the two religions (Christianity & Islam) closer to unity and respect for one another," he said. Gov. Patterson opposes the building of the mosque and has planned to meet with the proprietors to discuss his position. In contrast Mayor Bloomberg supports the center being built. "Not allowing a proposed mosque to be built near ground zero would be compromising our commitment to fighting terror with freedom," Bloomberg said. "We would undercut the values and principles that so many died protecting." Brother Hasan noted that despite the volatile climate, it's now time to come together. "I see America coming together in the very near future. The practitioners of Islam, Christianity and Judaism have more in common than we do not," he said. "All three religions promote love, peace and togetherness. If we continue to practice all three, unity among us is sure to come." |