Mosque near Ground Zero

[Yuan Shu]

How does everyone feel about the Mosque that is planned to be built near Ground Zero?

Personally I see no problem with it. I hate when people blame the entire Islamic religion for the fundamental terrorists that attacked us (9/11). It is not fair to Muslims that they're now hated by some... Anyways, feel free to share your opinions

[Lewis]

Um to be honest I don't really have an opinion about it, I suppose I think they should concentrate on re-building ground zero or doing something with it than building a mosque or anything else

[Yuan Shu]

Muslims want to have it built there; They are attempting to rebuild the WTC as well however.. I thought everyone knew of it.

[Lü Lingqi]

It's a real idiotic debate. Our country prides itself with freedoms but generalizes an entire group of people because of 9/11. It's not even on ground zero, it's like four blocks down. Besides, I'm sure the Taliban aren't going to use that particular Islamic Community Center for evil plotting.

[Ryu Yin]

The problem lies with that the Islamic people who are trying to have that there they are basically saying a big "F.UCK YOU!" to everyone. People are still sensitive about 9/11 and the attack. Lots of people died there from all races and religions but the people who killed them were Islamic Extremists. And you can't say otherwise. The guy in charge doesn't give a crap about that fact. Yeah sure it may have not been them who did the actual attacking nor are they terrorists. But they just don't care about what other people's feelings are. I have a friend that lost his father in the attack and he can't believe how much of an asshole those people are. How would you like it if your neighbors killed your family and then their relatives moved in accross the street. Do you think you'll be ok with it? I wouldn't be because they would basically be saying "I don't care that my relatives killed your family and caused you great pain and grief because I like the neighborhood. Oh yeah and screw you and your feelings." It's the same exact thing. They are not careing about the feelings of the victims from 9/11.

It's just like years ago a group of Catholic Nuns wanted to turn Aushwitz or however it was spelled into a Church. The famous Concentration Camp for imprisoning and massacuring Jews during the Holocaust. They were basically saying F.uck you to the Jewish community as well not careing. The only reason why it was rejected was because the Pope had to tell them to leave it alone.

And finally Obama our President is being an idiot for not trying to stop this. It's only going to cause more distrust in the community and more hate for the religion of Islam. If those guys want a Mosque in New York City choose another location because it's a big city and there are plenty of other places to turn a building into one. You gotta let wounds heal or else it'll bleed again. That is the problem.

[Yuan Shu]

"..but the people who killed them were Islamic Extremists.."

Yes! Exactly. Just like Lu said, you can't just generalize an entire religion based on a few Radical Terrorists. So it's not fair to blame the entire culture and religion; If a group of Taliban or relatives of Bin Laden or something wanted to build a Mosque there I could see, but there are millions of Muslims in the world and accusing the entire group is unethical.

Your neighbor comparison is completely irrelevant because I don't think many people would agree with that; Maybe some but not all.

To be biased against an entire religion and group of people is completely unfair and you can't say otherwise.

What if, for example, your brother had killed someone in your town and you were then banned from that said town because they felt it would be painful to allow you to stay there.

It's the same thing with these Islamics. They did nothing to deserve being shunned by NYC and America and at least Obama knows this.

[Ryu Yin]

Alright the group of people that I'm calling assholes is the guy who wants to turn the building into a mosque I forget his name. And the people supporting right from under him. I have islamic friends and I bear no grudge against them neither does my friend who lost his father. It's that group of people that don't give a shit about the sensitivity and the feelings of other people. I didn't know how to word it correctly but I'm not blameing every single person who practices the religion of Islam. But there are people who do and you cannot do anything about it.

And if my brother went and killed someone, people would distrust me anyway and I would be shunned by people anyway. I've seen crap like this before.

Back to what I was saying. That group of people is saying Fuck you and not careing about everyone else. They need to see that whether they like it or not building a Mosque close to Ground Zero is not a good idea. It was attacked and destroyed by Islamic Extremeists. People are worried that there will be another attack. Victims are looking for people to blame. Suspicions will rise up. Hell there will probably be CIA, FBI, you name it patrolling the Mosque. People out there blame Islam for their family's deaths and you can't change that. I bet you somewhere out there there is an Islamic kid getting beaten by one of these people. Building a Mosque there is insensitive and and uncareing. People not involved with the issue will be forced into it like that Islamic kid I was talking about getting beat up by some angry Islam hater. They are not thinking about the feelings of others. They are not careing the sensitivity of 9/11. And they are not careing about the people who will get hurt over this. And people will without a doubt in my mind get hurt over this. Religion throughout history causes lots problems and it's an area where you have to be careful not to step over the many boundries. It is an area where you cannot just build a religous site where other people from you're religion has killed a bunch of people. Because if you do you are asking for a S.hitstorm.

[Xian Ye]

Well, I'm not American so this never really bothered me to the same extent as it did anyone who lives in the States, or who lost a relative or friend in the bombing. I will say this though. I know for a fact that the metal left-over from the bombing was used to make war-ships by the States, to honour the dead and remind the men aboard what they're fighting for. Now, I don't understand why someone would want to build a Mosque, of all things, near the site that caused the entire Anti-Middle East wave. To me, it seems like they're trying to either make amends (In the wrong way) or to bring it up to those who live near there. The idea of building a Mosque near Ground Zero, whether it's on the street or four blocks away, is bringing it up to those who lived threw it, and who either knew someone who died or had to watch it happen, and rubbing salt in the wound.

While your at it, why don't you just put up a sign saying "Forgive the people who did this, It happened years ago and we think it's time to move on. This building is to help people remember what happened, and move past it." Your asking too much of people to just accept a Mosque, argueably one of the most hated and distrustred buildings in America at the moment, near the place where everyone remembers Islamic Extremists commiting an act of Terrorism. It's not fair to ask people to accept this, nor is it fair that Islamist's have to deal with the actions of others.

I personally think if they do build this Mosque, there will be riots and the police will be brought in. Building it so close will only cause trouble, in my oppinion.

[Yuan Shu]

I can concur with some of your ideas there. Building a Mosque near Ground Zero is bound for controversy, but the thing is is that these people don't care and I applaud them for it actually. It may be insensitive to 9/11 victims but these people didn't do this heinous crime and I still believe it is unfair towards Muslims.

It is basically futile to think that people will not condemn the entire religion because of these radical bastards. I never said they won't, but I don't honestly think it would be the same if, say, Christian Extremists, instead of Islamics, did this and then other Christians wanted to build a Church near Ground Zero. I doubt anyone would even notice.

If you hadn't heard, this Mega Mosque will not only be a place of worship but will also contain a Recreational Center and Swimming Pool, and such.

I don't doubt people will hate Muslims even more after this Mosque is built and that is very sad for the innocent followers of Islam.

[Yuan Shu]

I agree with you Xian. Maybe it is a little too convenient for Muslims to build the Mosque that close to Ground Zero but it could be nothing as I said before. And yes as I said in my last paragraph, this will cause great controversy.

[Xian Ye]

Oh Shu...Shu, Shu, Shu, how naive. If they're turning it into more then just a place of worship and actually a place where Islamic's can hang out in groups, do you not think that's going to make people paranoid? "Oh my god, there's four of those arabs sitting suspiciously by the pool! We better call the FBI, They could be planning another attack." That's what people will think. Just wait.

[Yuan Shu]

Really? Because there are thousands of Muslims in New York City, and I never stated it was exclusively Islam, it won't be.

[Cao Pi]

its a mosque ffs not a bomb making factory americans needs to grow up and realise just because there where turbans or veils doesn't mean their terrorists.

[Lu Xiang]

I'm a very argumentive guy so I will drop my views on the situation here; personally I do believe the Muslims/Islams (not sure who is to blame in this situation. Don't watch the new so excuse the constant reference to Muslims if it is an Islamic Mosque) are taking advantage of the circumstance here - I bare no grudge with them personally and i'm not racist to a sense of hatred, I can make a joke about my own race and others like we all should. The reason racism still exists is because of ignorance; an ignorant will never be wiped clean. We open our eyes to racism because we are educated, but we also create more wars by being educated. Everything had its cause and effect and sometimes I wish I was naive or ignorant so I wouldn't have to wonder or worry about things of a calamity.

However lets not be drifting; Ground Zero. The site of the world trade center should NOT be a place of a mosque. Muslims may have died, but it is a place of rest. A place where we remember them who died on that tragic day. I think it is a bit contraversial that they want to set up a mosque there; why ground zero? I think they are aimming towards acceptance but I also think they are dishonouring alot of people. The majority who died were not Muslim; and I don't think religion should come into the area of ground zero. The place is a sanctuary now of what was not meant to be. To show us what pure evil and hatred can do so easily to so many innocent people. How quick something can change. I think a memorial should be set up; maybe a museum of such or at least a monument. Not a mosque, church or any type of religious place. People don't need religion in a place like Ground-Zero... but a place of education. To remind us of September 11th.

There are perks for the mosque however; The fact it is growing acceptance. Allowing muslims into such "holy" ground would be a huge leap.. but in all fairness I don't think it is like that. I think it is merely another way the minorities are abusing their power; giving the protection acts and racism and minority protection - they exclaim their prejudice and receive. Much like in Britain, with the speculation over the veils. It isn't the majority of the Muslims as a whole and religion makes them look bad. I have a few Muslim friends myself and if i'm fair most of them aren't that different from me.

I personally don't pay much attention to the news; Most of it is media exposed crap where lies leak full of it to deceive and lure audiences. Filled with celebrities and bullshit and politicians so far up their arseholes that we as a species of humanity are in a state of impending doom. However every now and again a story does come up that interests me. This is extremely controversial but my own personal opinion. No to the Mosque. Not for racism.. but for the closure and peace of the families who have lost all over the world.

The war isn't with the Muslims, Islamics or any other religion it is on Terrorism. You misunderstand the word. Anyone can be a terrorist. Black, white, asia.. anyone! Do not lose yourself between simpe stereotypes people; look beyond what your eyes tell you.

[Xiang Yu]

/deleted my rant. I woke up in a bad mood and ranted.

My main point was: I don't think it matters whether or not they build of a mosque there. I think it is wrong to blame the entire islamic community for the events of 9/11. It'd be like banning churches from being built where the crusaders ransacked or pillaged cities. At the end of the day, islam is the largest and most practised religion on earth, and you cannot be naive enough to prevent a mosque being built based on the actions of a select few islam extremists.