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New Strategy For Ground Zero Mosque
American Thinker ^ | August 7, 2011 | JanSuzanne Krasner

Posted on 08/07/2011 11:45:38 PM PDT by neverdem

The Park51 project for a 15-story mosque/community center at Ground Zero, led by developer Sharif El-Gamal and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, has dwindled down to a much smaller vision, a four or five-story 'PrayerSpace' and community center. This may be a far cry from their original plan, but many are bewildered as to why they are still moving ahead with any planned mosque at this site, given the tremendous negative opinion most Americans have of its location.

Sharif El-Gamal believes in his vision and he is committed to its location at Ground Zero. He admits that the introduction of his idea to the general public was "backwards" and now he is "going back to basics." He believes that he is acquiescing to the community's desire for the building not to tower over Ground Zero and states: "If the community only wants four or five floors, it's going to be four or five floors." This new shorter version will still require El-Gamal to raise about $10 million. He believes that depending on the community board's recommendations could take as much as five years before there are any changes to the Burlington Coat Factory building site.

Meanwhile, in spite of El-Gamal's insistence that he'd like to work with the community, the chairperson of the Community Board, Julie Menin, said that he has not responded to several of her requests to meet to discuss the plans that they would like to see implemented at 45-51 Park Place. Although the community board is not as interested in the blueprints of the building, they do want to have input into the public activities the center will offer. Menin commented: "A tremendous number of young families need services, like classes, recreation and athletic centers."

Since El-Gamal's purchase of this property last year (for $4.85 million...)

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: groundzero; groundzeromosque
Which Columbus: Ohio's, New Mexico's or Georgia's? Are there any others?
1 posted on 08/07/2011 11:45:40 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Typically, when a city is named without a corresponding state, the city with the largest population is meant.

In this case (and especially given the other named cities, that would be Columbus, Ohio.

It is unlikely that the referenced Columbus is any of the following:

Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Arkansas
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Illinois
Columbus, Indiana
Columbus, Kansas
Columbus, Kentucky
Columbus, Minnesota
Columbus, Mississippi
Columbus, Montana
Columbus, Nebraska
Columbus, New Jersey
Columbus, New Mexico
Columbus, New York
Columbus, North Carolina
Columbus, North Dakota
Columbus, Texas
Columbus, Wisconsin


2 posted on 08/08/2011 12:02:00 AM PDT by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
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To: neverdem

“Since El-Gamal’s purchase of this property last year (for $4.85 million...)”

If he bought the property, he owns the property and will be able to exercise his property rights.


3 posted on 08/08/2011 12:11:02 AM PDT by trumandogz
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To: trumandogz

True


4 posted on 08/08/2011 12:29:02 AM PDT by ketelone
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To: Immerito
It is unlikely that the referenced Columbus is any of the following:

... except Columbus, Ohio !

5 posted on 08/08/2011 12:59:34 AM PDT by dr_lew
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To: trumandogz

I wonder where a retired waiter gets 4.85 million to dabble in NYC real estate? Some of the waiters I know work their whole lives and don’t save near that amount of money.


6 posted on 08/08/2011 1:00:07 AM PDT by willyd (your credibility deficit is screwing up my bs meter...)
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To: trumandogz

Perhaps it is the will of Allah, that it spontaneously combusts..


7 posted on 08/08/2011 1:14:48 AM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
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8 posted on 08/08/2011 1:27:22 AM PDT by devolve (. . . . . . . . . . . . Fat & Furious - Burger & Fries Queen*s 1700+ calorie lunches . . . . .)
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To: dr_lew

Whoops, forgot to delete that one from the list of other cities named Columbus. Good catch. :-)


9 posted on 08/08/2011 7:39:20 AM PDT by Immerito (Reading Through the Bible in 90 Days)
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To: neverdem
Sharif El-Gamal believes in his vision and he is committed to its location at Ground Zero.

Of course he is!

10 posted on 08/08/2011 12:53:57 PM PDT by SuziQ
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks neverdem.
This may be a far cry from their original plan, but many are bewildered as to why they are still moving ahead with any planned mosque at this site, given the tremendous negative opinion most Americans have of its location.
Gosh, I wonder.


11 posted on 08/09/2011 2:37:30 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Yes, as a matter of fact, it is that time again -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: devolve
Sharif El-Gamal believes in his vision and he is committed to its location at Ground Zero.

His 'vision' is giving the finger to American citizens... with the help of democrats.

Is that charming or what? /s

12 posted on 08/09/2011 9:34:18 AM PDT by GOPJ (The end of our great nation - caused by 'give it all away' dems. May dems reap what they sown...)
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