The Mosque at Ground Zero

Though I know that this issue is very controversial, it's also something that I
think is important to face. The proposed community center (which would
include a mosque), blocks away from where the World Trade Center
stood, has become a flashpoint of debate around the nation. The president
has been criticized by many for saying, "As a citizen, and as president, I
believe that Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone
else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and
community center on private property in Lower Manhattan in accordance
with local laws and ordinances."

As a citizen, I, too, agree that they have every right to practice their religion
freely--whether or not it is blocks from Ground Zero. After all, the first
amendment in the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights includes the
line: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Why should we treat a mosque any
differently from a syngagogue, church, or temple? If we simply decide to
treat certain religions in a standard way, but not others, we slide into the
hypocrisy--and unjustness--that characterizes dictatorships, not
democracies.

What's more, the general outrage over the proposed center is only fueling

the fire of anti-Americanism abroad. The most effective way to fight
terrorism is to show openness and goodwill, not hate or discrimination,
toward Muslims both here at home and in foreign countries. When we
treat the Islamic population of New York City in a discriminatory way, it only
confirms anti-American suspicions in other countries. By antagonizing a
moderate group of Muslims, whose only goal is to bring awareness of other
cultures to a community center (in the hopes of fighting extremism), we are
ultimately helping the terrorists, and their message that America hates
Islam.
 
However, the ultimate point of controversy that has shaped the debate is
the fact that it is an Islamic place of worship near the place where Islamic
extremists killed thousands of people. I have read arguments from the
families of those who were killed on 9/11, and I understand that it touches a
place that is still raw in the hearts of many. But truly, the terrorists who
crashed the planes into the Twin Towers were hardly more Muslim than
they were any other religion. They killed Muslims, Christians, Jews, men,
women, children--and the murder of innocents is condemned by every
religion I know of. Their league of extremism is nowhere near
the moderation we have seen from the Muslim group that plans on building
the center. When we say that there should not be a mosque near
Ground Zero, we imply that all Muslims are responsible, and we condemn
their religion. The sign of one woman protesting the planned center read:
"Islam builds mosques at the sites of their conquests and victories." I would
easily understand outrage over a proposed Al-Qaeda headquarters at
Ground Zero. They were the ones who were responsible. Moderate
Muslims were not.
 
The community center and mosque planned near Ground Zero would help
raise cultural awareness and provide a swimming pool, theater, and
performing arts center that no doubt all New Yorkers--not just Muslims--
could benefit from. It would show that the religious tolerance we put forth in
our Constitution is proved by action, not just a sentence of empty words. It
would take away fuel for extremist fire and show Muslims around the world
that America does not hate Islam. And yet, 68% of Americans believe
that allowing the Cordoba House (the proposed community center's name)
to go on, is the wrong thing to do. Does this sway my opinion?
No. Remember what Albert Einstein said: "What is right is not always
popular and what is popular is not always right."
 
Denying the Cordoba House, and the moderate Muslim group planning to
build it the right to do so, is popular.
 
Is it right?