From 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America (via Teresamerica and Patriot's Corner):
[The] mosque, located on the top floor of the 15-story building, would have a commanding view of the entire Ground Zero neighborhood.I'm trying to imagine what kind of "moderate" Muslims think this is an inspiring view, the site of:
the worst terrorist attack by extremist Muslims in America’s history; following the attack, 20,000 body parts were recovered in a nine-month operation to remove 1.8 million tons of rubble from Lower Manhattan.So inspiring, in fact, that someone was willing to put down almost $5 million in cash to secure the building, even though it is still under consideration for protection as an historical site.
As we are reminded at Patriot's Corner, 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America view the plan outlined by the Ground Zero imam to
“leverage” the mosque’s proximity to Ground Zero to engage in proselytizing and to “grow the Muslim community,” as shockingly insensitive to the history of the site . . .Maybe that's why the rest of the $100 million the mosque is expected to cost will be coming not only from Muslims in the United States, but also from overseas:
Imam Abdul Rauf … told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Islamic center will be financed through contributions from Muslims in the US, as well as by donations from Arab and Islamic countries. . . .From Atlas Shrugs:
Last week, the finance committee, composed of 12 people, voted unanimously in support of the mosque, after Imam Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan was made. No one knew about it, no announcement was made. The matter will now go to the full committee (more than 40 people). The full committee will be meeting on May 25. WE NEED YOU ALL TO ATTEND TO VOICE YOUR OPPOSITION. [emphasis mine]
CB1 has no legal authority. Their "approval" or disapproval is in no way binding on the matter, but the media will be there, and we need to send a message to Rauf, Khan and Mayor Bloomberg: This is wrong. This will do terrible harm to the 9/11 family community and non- Muslims around the world.
5/25 CB #1 Monthly Meeting - 6:00 PM__________
Location: Three Legged Dog Art and Technology Center
80 Greenwich Street (at Rector Street)
Related posts:
Thanks for the mention.
ReplyDeleteI hope that a bunch of people show up to the meeting, and make their anger known so that the political operatives hear that people think the building of this mosque crosses and line and will traumatize the 9/11 families.
Unfortunately, having covered a million local government zoning hearings for a few newspapers back in the day, I have to say that unless this thing violates a zoning ordinance it will win approval. You just can't make scenarios like this up...
ReplyDeleteTeresa: Many people still hurting from 9-11 showed up, with grief, disbelief, and anger showing on their faces. There were as well a number of Muslim proponents of this mosque. Unfortunately, gallingly, the look on their faces was mainly of smug self-satisfaction. That tells me everything I need to know.
ReplyDeleteSnarky: I too am a veteran of more council and board meetings than I want to remember. What I learned: the City will do what it damn well wants to do. The results of this board vote tells me a lot too. Ten abstentions? What's that about? I will pray every day for the one person who voted no.