It's a Great Day to Rant About That Mosque Near Ground Zero!

Opponents to the plan to build a mosque and community center two blocks from the World Trade Center site insist they're not bigoted, intolerant Islamophobes, but just defenders of what's appropriate. For example, one woman whose relative died on 9/11 recently told the local Community Board, "I am not a bigot and most of the people in this room are not bigots, I oppose the mosque because it's in poor taste." And the ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Peter King, says, "Right at this moment in history, it's bad form to put it there. There are things you are allowed to do, but that aren't appropriate to do." Ah, the Miss Manners approach. Can't lose!

Today the Landmarks Preservation Commission will take up the issue of whether 45 Park Place, a 152-year-old building that once housed a Burlington Coat Factory, should get landmark status. (Details [pdf] if you want to attend the public hearing at Hunter College.) Cordoba Institute, which wants to build the mosque and community center at that site, is hoping the commission will vote no, which seems likely. The commissioners will focus solely on the architectural and historical merits of the old building, not what would replace it. "If I was on the commission, I would probably vote against maintaining it," Rick Bell at the American Institute of Architects tells the Daily News. "This is a building no one will lose sleep over it if it's gone."

King, who is a supporter of Republican Rick Lazio's campaign for governor, told the AP yesterday, "We are at war with al-Qaida. I think the 9/11 families have a right to know where the funding comes from; I think there are significant questions." Lazio has also called for an investigation into the funding for the mosque, leading to mudslinging between him and Attorney General/gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, who dismissed Lazio's request as Islamophobia.

Now Mayor Bloomberg has chimed in, telling reporters, "I don't think we're going to go and start investigating funding sources for religious organizations or vetting people who preach, pray in religious organizations. That just is so out of character for what this nation stands for." Bloomberg's rhetoric could really use some more spice; where's Marty Markowitz on this?! ("A mosque near Ground Zero? Oy vey!") As for Lazio, he's expected to testify at today's Landmarks meeting. A savvy entrepreneur could make a lot of money selling commemorative 9/11 Freedom Popcorn at this thing.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on July 13, 2010 11:57 AM

Comments [rss]

Peacemaker007

I think we should put another sexshop near ground zero or a topless bar. This will ease the pain and will make everybody happy. Nobody has build anything there in the last 9 years, just big plans, talk and animosity.

Skitsnygg

Yeah, what about the selling of all the WTC merchandise? People capitalizing off of it? How is that appropriate? And also, what does a mosque have to do with anything since the feds are the ones who are to blame for 9/11 anyway?

Marc

Lazio is a scumbag!

nyc towing

JacqueMehoff

All the politicians were out at the meeting, unbelievable.

Lazio was the worst. it got personal for one young lady.

there ain't nothing worth landmarking in that dark desolate block.

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

my suggestion for an exclusive Gothamist story:

contact the local politicians and get their opinion on the mosque/community center.

AYCE

But what if the community center promises to sell MORE than just coats, and at low discount prices? THEN would people still be opposed?

ides_of_march

This mosque is meant to rub salt into the wounds of 9-11, this is what muslims have traditionally done to commemorate islamic conquests and victories. Scheduling it for opening on the anniversary of 9-11 isn't just insensitive, it's a poke in the eye. If you can't see that, you've been brainwashed by political correctness.

By the way, when are the Saudis going to allow Christian churches and Jewish temples to be built anywhere in the country? "Tolerance" is a one way street it seems.

l3iodeez

You know, you might be right. It just doesn't matter. If someone feels like poking you in your emotional eye and has the money to do it, then you're screwed, and can either move away or deal with it.

I feel the same way about NYU putting up another hipster-farm dormitory, but you don't see these mobs looking out for MY interests. ME ME ME ME ME ME!!

RoboticInsides

Thanks for the history lesson... of course Islam is an imperialist religion. Christianity is too and has changed its tactics, so never say never about Islam. Do you really think they are going to try to take over the US? You guys don't even want to let them build a freaking mosque.

And if it's not appropriate to build a mosque near the WTC, then where? Apparently not midtown, nor Harlem, nor the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, or Staten Island. Anywhere in NY state? Anywhere in the US? Give me a break.

It does not matter whether I am progressive or conservative. I just don't care. I think religions do more harm than good, but if they want to build a mosque, church, synagogue, or any other type of temple, go ahead.

And come on people, it has been 9 years since the attack, are we ever going to get over it? I'm not asking you to forget the victims or the tragedy, just stop using 9/11 as a crutch.

RoboticInsides

Or they could be opening it on 9/11 anniversary to show solidarity? How do you know they aren't going to have a plaque or ceremony commemorating the victims? Because you make assumptions.

Even if it is a 'poke in the eye,' who cares? It's a free country - let them open the center on whichever day of the year they want.

jpeditor

PS _ and Bin Laden has been crying about "Andalus" since 9/11.

RoboticInsides

Thanks for the history lesson... of course Islam is an imperialist religion. Christianity is too and has changed its tactics, so never say never about Islam. Do you really think they are going to try to take over the US? You guys don't even want to let them build a freaking mosque.

And if it's not appropriate to build a mosque near the WTC, then where? Apparently not midtown, nor Harlem, nor the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, or Staten Island. Anywhere in NY state? Anywhere in the US? Give me a break.

It does not matter whether I am progressive or conservative. I just don't care. I think religions do more harm than good, but if they want to build a mosque, church, synagogue, or any other type of temple, go ahead.

And come on people, it has been 9 years since the attack, are we ever going to get over it? I'm not asking you to forget the victims or the tragedy, just stop using 9/11 as a crutch.

jpeditor

"And come on people, it has been 9 years since the attack, are we ever going to get over it? I'm not asking you to forget the victims or the tragedy, just LET THE ATTACKERS BUILD SOMETHING TO HONOR THEIR SLAUGHTER OF 3000 AMERICANS.

/fixed it.

Islam = GARBAGE. They stole the math you're creaming over from the hindus, they've beenm slaughtering everyone in their way AND CONTINUE TO DO SO, so stop whining about waiting for them "to settle down like Christians and do "cool" non-violent imperialsim".

ISLAM IS DESIGNED TO DESTROY THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN WEST.

ISLAM IS DESIGNED TO ENSLAVE WOMEN.

Obviously you are either too stupid to see that or you are a lying leftist turdlette pretending to be "balanced" hoping your precious muslims won't cut your head off when they arfe done with your useless propaganda.

Or it it taquiya, achmed?

Here's an idea. Lets kill most of your family, wait 9 years and then let the murderers put up a shrine to honor their act.

ALLAH FUBAR.

jpeditor

Because "Cordoba" is what muslims called part of Andalus which is what we cal Spain.

You're either a muslim practicing taqiya (koran-permitted lying to advance the islamic cause) or you are ignorant of islamic history.

WHERE-EVER MUSLIMS ATTACK for the last 1300 years they put up mosques either on or near churches, synagogues, hindu or buddhist temples or to commemorate their attacks and victories.

Its absolutely mind-blowing that all the lefties here who cry about "imperialism" don't understand that Islam IS IMPERIALISTIC. It's goal is total domination.

This mosque (and the 13 story building DOES include a mosque so STFU to the moron who said it isn't a mosque) does not belong in NYC or near Ground Zero any more than a Japanese Memorial belongs at Pearl Harbor or a Nazi Memorial at Auschwitz.

Jessie

yes Cordoba once one of the jewels of science, learning, and cultural in the known world. In europe it was considered a scholar's paradise. Muslim, Christians and Jewish scholars flocked here. The Great library alone was a wonder of it's age. (and yes I know this changed drastically when the Berbers ousted the Umayyads from Cordoba which in turn got ousted by the newly allied Christian kingdoms)

....such terrible things to evoke in the name of this institution...

jpeditor

Naming the GZ mosque for Cordoba is CODE FOR CONQUERING THE LAND ITS ON, you PINHEAD.

Are you getting paid to give BJs to al queda or are you just a moron?

borgbot

Medieval Muslim Spain was called Al-Andalus and it's size/demographic varied depending on who was running it, nitwit. It is also well documented that Christians who traveled there were impressed=Islamic Spain was clean, there was an incredible amount of scholarship sponsored and Christians, Jews and Muslims more or less got along.

You know what helped accelerat the decline of the Islamic Golden Age and propelled them (as well as the Christians) into the Dark Ages? Religious intolerance from the likes of idiots like you.

Politburo

The Sauds are intolerant, so we must be too? Ridiculous, but you knew that already.

Pete

So if someone wanted to put up a Church of some Christian denomination near the Murragh Federal Building in Oklahoma City, would that be bad form as well?