Plans to build a 13 storey American-Muslim community centre at 45-51 Park Place, two blocks from where the September 11, 2001, attacks took place, has caused great controversy in the United States. The proposed facility, which would include a culinary school, swimming pool, September 11 memorial, and a prayer space, has been accused by opponents of being “unnecessary provocation” and a sign of disrespect to the victims of the attacks of 9/11 and their families. It therefore being asked to relocate. The centre is a project of the non-profit Cordoba Initiative which wants to promote cross-cultural understanding between Islam and the West.
The argument of the opposition is not one based on legalities. The first amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees “the right of the people peaceably to assemble. “ Therefore, the builders of the community centre have the constitutional right to build the community centre. Calls for the center to relocate are based on the premise that the closeness to the location of the attacks is an affront to the victims of 9/11 and their families.
However, the issue of geographical location and sensitivity should only come up if there is a connection between those who carried out the attacks, and those who are now building the community centre. By associating the building of the community center with the 9/11 attacks, opponents are associating millions of law-abiding American-Muslims with terrorists working under a murderous political agenda. This is not only makes for a flawed argument, but also further generates feelings of distrust and hatred between Muslims and non-Muslims in America.
Given the flawed nature of the argument the main question is why this issue has evolved into a national debate. The responsibility lies with the media, which earlier this summer also gave an undeserved and unprecedented amount of attention to a Florida pastor, Terry Jones, thereby fanning anti-Western sentiment and demonstrations across the globe. News of the “Ground Zero” community centre and the Terry Jones issue began to go hand in hand, and politicians began taking stances. As the issue became a hot media topic, President Obama commented on the right of Muslims to build a place of worship, thereby giving Republicans a new platform for criticism leading into the midterm elections in November.
Despite the ridiculous media frenzy, obvious political motivations behind the issue and complete irrationality of the point of view of the opponents, polls currently show two-thirds of Americans oppose the construction of the centre on the proposed site. So much for promoting cross-cultural understanding.
