by Natasha Magness

On Thursday May 6, 2010, news began to spread regarding the supposed building of a mosque on Ground Zero (the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks). Unsurprisingly, when word hit the blogosphere, everyone (especially Christians) went up in arms. Many called it an “unnecessary provocation” and even a step toward a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within.”

However, a significant number of Christians, myself included, saw these reactions as being far too drastic, as well as hypocritical and vitriolic. The Church has spent much of its time, particularly in the past few decades, defending the name of Christ against those who act like insensitive bigots, and even murder, in His name. Thankfully, there are some secular folks willing to extend us mercy and believe that the violent actions done in the name of Christ have nothing to do with our true faith.

This is the central issue for Christians regarding the Ground Zero mosque. We must treat others the way we wish to be treated. If we wish for people to listen to the gospel message, we should listen to Muslims when they claim their religion has nothing to do with acts of terrorism. One of the most common concerns raised about the mosque is that Islam is at its core, a truly violent religion. However, those wishing to build the mosque near Ground Zero are a much more liberal sect of Islam–– the said “mosque” will be titled “Cordoba House” and called a “community center”. The sect’s leader, Isam Feisal Abdul Rauf, has worked on counter-terrorism acts for the FBI.

Admittedly, the decision to build a Muslim community center/mosque at the site of the world’s most infamous terrorist attack can come off as insensitive. In fact, it very well may be. However, a rumor needs to be dispelled. It’s rumored that the Cordoba House will be erected as a symbol of victory after the Sept. 11 attacks; but, in fact, plans to build a Muslim community center in the area started in 1999. Furthermore, the community center will be built two blocks away from Ground Zero, not on the site itself. It will be placed in a neighborhood filled with other worship sites, grocery stores, and restaurants. If people visit the site of 9/11 to mourn, they will not be greeted with any sort of Islamic structure.

In the media, this story has been driven more by emotional hype, rather than facts. “Being sensitive” to those who are offended at the idea of a mosque is actually condoning fear of Muslim people. As a country, we need to rise above ignorance and emotional hype and show the world that instead of falsely retaining negative feelings towards Muslims, we will stand on the side of those who have been misunderstood and who are actively pursuing peace. As an American, I believe it is crucial that we function out of fairness, equality, and truth, rather than misinformation and fear. And, more importantly, as a Christian, I believe we need to recognize hypocrisy and bigotry and stand up for the oppressed and misunderstood–– even when the oppressed group is a different religion. We need not condone the teachings of Islam to radically fight the lies and support their right to freedom of worship.

by Daniel Larsen

The issue is not about religious freedom for the Muslims, but rather about the insensitivity of pursuing this venture on such nationally-hallowed grounds. Ground Zero cannot be classified on the same level as any other land that’s considered for building projects. This bit of land has become a sacred site set apart in memorial to that atrocity committed against the United States. Zhudi Jasser, chairman of the board of directors for the American Islamic Forum for Democracy writes, “Religious freedom is central to our nation, and that is why the location of this project is so misguided. Ground Zero is purely about being American. It can never be about being Muslim.”

To permit a monument dedicated to the faith that motivated the murderers, is not ‘tolerance’ for that religion, but intolerance for the victims. Also peaceful Muslims who condemn 9/11 have expressed fear that this mosque will damage Islamic reputation and mix their sincere devotion with hateful fanaticism. “It will create a permanent link between Islam and 9/11” notes Abdel Moety Bayoumi of the Islamic Research Institute of Al Azhar. “Why should we put ourselves and Islam in a position of blame?” The project is not only an affront to America, but a severe blow to the Islamic community, who hope to practice their faith without fear of aggrieving their fellow citizens.

More disturbing is the message behind the mosque and the intentions of its builders. The initial proposed name, Cordoba, hearkens to ancient blood feuds: a mosque with the same name was built over the ruins of a conquered Christian church. The significance is clearly meant to invoke the victory of Islam over the infidel nation it attacked. This is a monument to the type of ‘Islamic ascendency,’ which terrorists hope to spread to all who oppose Allah by fear and death. Rather than being a simple place of worship, this building is being used as anti-American propaganda and will be built on ground that should fall under federal sovereignty as a memorial. The mosque is meant to rub salt into the deep wounds inflicted that day. The circumstances are akin to the U.S. Air Force constructing a monument in Hiroshima to champion the American dominance of the Japanese with the atomic bomb, rather than letting the city rebuild.

Furthermore, according to an ABC News report, fundraisers are considering taking money from terrorist sponsors, such as Iran. But the most appalling statements are from the head of the project, Imam Rauf, He states that America was an “accessory to the crimes” of Sept. 11 and that our nation “has more Muslim blood on its hands than Al-Qaeda has on its hands of innocent non-Muslims.” To permit–– even in the name of tolerance for a religion–– a construction of such infamy opposes everything this great nation stands for, and betrays the freedom for which our people have shed their blood. The horrific slaughter of Sept. 11 deserves, in the words of the Muslim Canadian Congress, a “monument to those who died in the attack,” and should not be dishonored with a building that celebrates their death and dishonors their graves.