Posted on 09/08/2010 3:43:19 AM PDT by onyx
AS my flight approached America last weekend, my mind circled back to the furor that has broken out over plans to build Cordoba House, a community center in Lower Manhattan.I have been away from home for two months, speaking abroad about cooperation among people from different religions. Every day, including the past two weeks spent representing my country on a State Department tour in the Middle East, I have been struck by how the controversy has riveted the attention of Americans, as well as nearly everyone I met in my travels.
We have all been awed by how inflamed and emotional the issue of the proposed community center has become. The level of attention reflects the degree to which people care about the very American values under debate: recognition of the rights of others, tolerance and freedom of worship.
Many people wondered why I did not speak out more, and sooner, about this project. I felt that it would not be right to comment from abroad. It would be better if I addressed these issues once I returned home to America, and after I could confer with leaders of other faiths who have been deliberating with us over this project. My lifes work has been focused on building bridges between religious groups and never has that been as important as it is now.
We are proceeding with the community center, Cordoba House. More important, we are doing so with the support of the downtown community, government at all levels and leaders from across the religious spectrum, who will be our partners. I am convinced that it is the right thing to do for many reasons.
Above all, the project will amplify the multifaith approach that the Cordoba Initiative has deployed in concrete ways for years.
continues....
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Not built on just ashes. These are the murdered
by Islam, for Islam. It was an Atrocity and is an Abomination.
Two things. I'd be stunned if the Imam truly considers America his home. I seriously doubt that.
When Muslims speak of cooperation among people from different religions, think of what Democrats mean by bipartisanship when they talk to Republicans.
In which case you would move the purposed Mosque since your plans inflame tensions and promote strife in the community.
That fact that you, Imam, are lying fraud can be seen from the fact that your purposed dedication date for this Mosque is 09-11-2011.
It sounds like the Imam had a fine time on the taxpayer dollar, jetting about the Middle East on a luxury junket paid for by us taxpayers.
Elect a "Barack Hussein Obama", and you will see our dollars given to the most despicable characters.
Oh, for God’s sake...
Despite the fact that Pastor Jones in Gainesville fl is at the very best, Senile..now I say “Burn the Koran” but not in gainesville, take up to NY and burn it right in front of the Imama’s Building Site!
He promises to “clearly identify” all of his finanacial backers!
Thank you!
I heard this op-ed mentioned on Imus. I quickly came to the computer to read it. It’s worse than I thought.
Oh yeah, and he says he will “clearly identify” all the financial backers.
He’s going ahead with the construction (he says) despite public outcry. I guess that means he must have lined-up some financial backers, huh?
Willard Mitt Romney hasn’t opined on the GZM, has he?
I agree with you completely. Never forgive and never forget. His mosque would better be called The Murder Mosque.
while on his trip to the Mideast on our dime...He lined up his backers.
and I am supposed to be upset about koran burnings? I don’t like the idea of ANY books being burned.....yet...
where are the ‘moderate Muslims” outcry over all the Muslim atrocities? I am so over the “moderate” Muslims...there is NO reason they can not speak out in America...but the silence is deafening!
This imam or some imam involved with this mosque gave money to terror groups in 1999, but Bloomy doesn’t think it warrants an investigation into funds of the mosque or imam. He said “would you like someone looking into your church or synagogues funding”? Hell yeah you idiot, if it had to do with terrorism, it has no place in religious activities.
He is probably against the quran burning also. This should endear him to the muslim defenders on this forum.
LLS
This imam refuses to call Hamas a terrorist group.
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