Re: Ground Zero Mosque

So regarding the last article I posted more information about the debate have emerged.  One of the most interesting ones is that in actual fact the so called Ground Zero Mosque is actually a Muslim community centre. This changes things greatly as what was once portrayed as being just a worshipping place for Muslims to go to is in fact something that is more community focused. The Community centre will have a basketball court, a memorial site for the 9/11 victims and other recreational facilities as well as a place to for Muslims to worship. So this begs the question what is so profoundly wrong with the building of this so called community centre two districts *which in American terms is a rite old road trip away* from Ground Zero?

The image portrayed by some news outlets in America made it seem like a Taj-Mahal proportionate mosque was being built on the foundations of ground Zero itself. It says a lot that it took quiet a while for the news to filter out that the proposed building was actually a Muslim Community Centre. Is the fact that its a Muslim community centre that bothers people? Even though this community centre has in itself a memorial for the victims of 9/11 which in itself stresses the community focused aspect of the structure. Or is it because there are prayer facilities for Muslims available that make this idea such a heinous one? How far away from ground Zero do you need to be able to practice your faith freely or in this case, be a Muslim?

This all leads me to believe that most of the opposition voiced on this issue are less concerned about the actual building but more concerned about opposing Muslims themselves. This is exactly what I was arguing against in the previous article and it is the real underlying issue here. For some the Community centre is just a prop to give them reason to voice their hate and ignorance. Proof being the recent protests against this building in new York where people began heckling a passer-by who happened to look like a Muslim i.e. had a beard and happened to be a man of colour wearing an unfortunate looking hat,  but who was in actual fact a carpenter. The carpenter throughout the confrontation stated he was not a Muslim but this fell on deaf ears and in the end he had to be escorted away for his own safety as the hecklers got more and more aggressive.

The most unfortunate thing of all are that those who where protesting where banding about signs that summed up the ignorance that some Americans today are left believing. Signs like ‘No mosque No jihad’  reflect the real problem here. Its the lack of clear and informed knowledge that is causing this uneasiness and fuelling this hate.   Even 24% of Americans a survey has found recently still believe Obama is a Muslim. This fear mongering and uncertainty is driving community’s apart and is causing more problems than solutions by increasing tension and hostility. Extremism comes in all forms shapes and sizes and you don’t have to have a bomb strapped around you to fit this criteria. Extremism in all its forms should be combated and that includes people who hold racist and bigoted views.  Fear and Ignorance compounded make up a lethal combination and this is being aided by right wing conservative politicians and networks like Sarah Palin, Fox News etc. who rather then address the facts as they are, are choosing to further cloud the water of the debate with misinformation to suit their own agenda.

But overall, I think this article sums up the debate about the ground zero ‘mosque’ more eloquently than me:

http://www.cracked.com/blog/3-reasons-the-ground-zero-mosque-debate-makes-no-sense/

‘The most violent element in society is ignorance.’  ~Emma Goldman

Till next time

 

Ground Zero Mosque

So the thing that caught my attention today was the recent debate going on in America over the proposed building of a mosque on private property near the area of Ground Zero. Obama himself made a speech about the issue stating that Muslims have the right to build a mosque near the site but did not state whether or not he believed it would be a good idea. The issue has divided many people in America with the majority against the proposed idea. The issue has also greatly divided those relatives who lost loved ones on the day of 9/11 with some in support of it claiming it showed the moderate side of Islam whilst others argued that this was grossly insensitive comment made by the president. The debate is a sensitive one and goes to the heart of the recent events surrounding Muslims and the West.

My view is in line with president Obama’s comment on the situation. It is inherently true that freedom to practice ones religion is enshrined in the American constitution. The government has no lawful right to interfere with peoples choice of religion and where and how they choose to practice their beliefs. The property, as stated before, is also being built on private land so the people are breaking no rule or law in wishing to build this mosque. That side there are two sides to this debate and what is important is to make sure that the views opposing the building of this mosque are rational arguments free of any racial or ill informed hate mongering. There are those relatives who have said that the building of this mosque would be an affront to all those who lost their lives on day of 9/11. This is a very insensitive and crass comment in itself to make as some of the people who did loose their lives where everyday lawful and moderate Muslims. Those who where attacked where not of one race, cultural, ethnic diversity or religion it was a mixture of Americans who lost their lives. So to claim to speak on behalf of all the relatives is something that should not be said so carelessly. Ones opinion on a matter is just that, ones opinion and making a blanket like comment should be avoided in respect for those who do not share your view but do share your sense of loss.

Another issue raised is that the building of this mosque will be a win and strike for the Jihadists who caused the 9/11 event. This is also a very dangerous argument as it tarnishes all Muslims with the same brush and claims that they are all one and the same. The majority of moderate Muslims should not be scapegoated because of the actions of a few misguided minority as doing this further isolates the community that the west needs to engage with effectively to combat the threat they face. It also gives more ammunition to those dangerous individuals who claim the west as having nothing but an anti-Islam rhetoric and who use this to misguide and recruit followers to their hate filled cause. The Muslims who are building this mosque have also clearly denounced  terrorism in all its forms and stated their stance against these breed of Jihadists. They are also planning to help bridge the gap created by 9/11 between Muslim’s and the west through their foundation. It’s also highly doubtful that those who caused the destruction of 9/11 to occur would wisely and  easily set up shop in the backyard of their crime scene as I am sure that if built this mosques activities will be to say the least closely monitored.

This said it doesn’t mean all opposition to the building of this mosque are invalid arguments as their are always two sides to any debate. The point that maybe this 100 million dollar megamosque should just be relocated a few blocks further down for tactical  and significant reasons should not be ignored. Considering there is a strong majority opposition to this it might be in the interest of the Muslim leaders who are building the mosque to  simply move the sight further as a sign of tolerance and respect to those who bear no ill will towards them but who do not support the location this mosque is being built near. They could therefore avoid adding fuel to the fire of tensions being felt in America over this decision. No added excuse should be given to alleviate any hatred or misgiving towards the Muslim community living in America. But that should also be under the condition that those who’s arguments are nothing less then racial and hate filled should have their ill informed views corrected. This debate should not just stop if this mosque is moved a couple of blocks further down as it is important to make sure that all Americans are not misinformed about a given race or creed of people.

We should not play into the hands of those extreme minorities on both sides of the spectrum who only seek to gain from hate and animosity being bred in a divided society. Tolerance is the key word here, those who oppose the building of this mosque should not oppose the fundamentals of the mosque itself but  just the given location. And those who want to build the mosque must understand that a middle way should be adopted to appease both sides and to avoid any more animosity. The words of  Mahatma Ghandi sum this up nicely:

“The need of the moment is not one religion, but mutual respect and tolerance of the devotees of the different religions.”

That’s all for today,

till next time.