Downtown Mosque Developer: Media Manufactured Opposition

NY1

In an exclusive interview with NY1, the developer who wants to build a controversial new mosque and Islamic center two blocks from the World Trade Center site blames the media for all the opposition to the proposal. "The media went out and started looking for 9/11 family members that are opposed to the project, and they were specifically looking for people opposed to the project," says developer Sharif El-Gamal. "Because on May 5, there was nobody opposed to the project. There was a unanimous vote from the community board, and that community board, everyone looked at each other and said, 'Wow, can you guys please build this sooner?'"

Ha. We're pretty sure the "media" didn't have to look to hard to find people against the mosque; they've been organizing to stop it since it was first announced. Opponents say the mosque would just be a place for "terrorists to gloat" and a "house of evil" that "will be the birthplace of the next terrorist event." It would also stab Sarah Palin in the heart, so win-win there. But El-Gamal says it's a "misperception... that we are terrorists." And that's exactly what he wants to correct with the high-profile mosque.

During the interview, El-Gamal declined to reveal the identities of who bought the property at 45-47 Park Place, which is what Republican candidate for governor Rick Lazio has been demanding, among other things. But as a gesture of good-will, El-Gamal has promised that the sounds of prayer will not waft from the mosque to the World Trade Center site. He says, "This isn't about converting people... We don't need any Muslims, I have to be very honest with you." Which is at least one thing El-Gamal and the mosque opponents can probably agree on.

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 20, 2010 4:44 PM

Comments [rss]

Factory Built Home

This really helped. Thanks for sharing.

Simplesimon

Would that be the same media that has ackowledged ( referring to Jornolist) actively suppressing Obama's past in order to advance his agenda? Would this be the same media that worked overtime to paint as "racist" and "Islamophobic" those who pointed out his affiliations with Islam and who dared to use his middle name "Hussein", which again, we were told was a "slur"? The same middle name that Mr. Obama, safely ensconced as president, now openly embraces and uses to condemn Israeli Jews as "racist"? Is it THAT media?

Scott M

What about the one that is 5 blocks away? Obviously that must be too close for "some people."

evan7257

The place is supposedly going to have a pool! Who doesn't want a pool?

Trilby16

A pool for just men? Or women at a different time and wearing headscarves? Sign me up!

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

the parks dept pool in williamsburg already has a pool with arcane segregation for men and women because of some local religious group.

no one cares about religion in society so much as when its muslims doing it.

BDS=(Boycott.Divest.Sanction)

Its seems pretty plain as day to me that someone Manufactured the Opposition.

are we supposed believe that random people are making ads and buying ad space to run tv commericals against it the plan? Getting protests permits for hundreds of people?

Please.

I also dont understand the comment 'Ha. We're pretty sure the "media" didn't have to look to hard to find people against the mosque'

then pointing to one rather quiet story about plans for the mosque and the other to a blog run by woman part of a number of anti-islam front groups.

the same groups that are buying ads about fatwas that are on buses, the same groups that are including DVDs about islam is a threat to us all are the very same groups rallying people to ignore the basic rights we're supposed to have in this country.

thats what i want a story on. not these tell me nothing stories that don't get at the bottom of whats really going on. gimmie some truth.

bleeckerite

I'm apathetic on the issue. On one hand they should build their mosque, because we have freedom of religion and I'm a fan of the First Amendment. On the other hand, I despise Islam (just like how I despise Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, etc.). So who to join, rabid xenophobes or worshipers who chose a (distasteful) location?

Trilby16

I guess you could blame the media. People didn't start opposing it till they learned of the plans... from the media! Yeah, it's the media's fault!