Commentary: It's More Than The Mosque
Getty Images
Opponents of an Islamic cultural center and mosque planned to be built near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan cheer a speaker during a demonstration on August 22, 2010 in New York City. Activists both for and against the proposed Park51 project two blocks from Ground Zero rallied supporters near the proposed building site as the controversy continued.
The current controversy over the New York City mosque is a classic example of how fear grows like a cancer through the veins of a free and open society. It also shows a willingness of our society to latch onto an issue that is simple and stark with "good guys" and "bad guys" instead of understanding the far more complicated nuances involved.
Those opposed to the mosque feel its location is an affront to the over 3000 Americans and others, including Muslims, who were murdered several blocks away on September 11, 2001. Additionally, the opposition forces worry that the mosque could become a headquarters for future terrorist attacks.
Those in favor of the mosque state that their constitutional rights, freedom of religion, are being infringed upon and that they are being discriminated against as believers in Islam.
Both sides in this issue are using fear not honest debate to amp up the forces of disinformation, suspicion and evil.
Those opposed to the mosque based on its location stress that the twin towers site is "hollowed ground". The problem is, to date, few Americans have ever suggested that there be a zone of "honor" around the Twin Towers site. Without such a zone of honor establishments, that few would claim honor the memory of those murdered, have flourished. The Pussycat Lounge strip club, two blocks away from ground zero, beckons patrons with a poster of woman au naturale. Next door The Thunder Lingerie and Peep show sells skin and sex toys. There are the liquor stores and other rag tag establishments that wedge themselves in among the banks, investment houses and fine restaurants. It is the mosaic of a free society, warts and all.
Let’s be honest. Those opposed to the mosque are mad, hurt and want revenge. They want their pound of flesh and who can blame them. The easy and most obvious targets are Muslims and their Islamic faith. Radical Islamic groups have executed virtually all-terrorist attacks in the last 20 years on Americans. Thus the idea of building anything that would support Muslims or Islam so close to the murder scene is a vessel through which all that hurt and vengeance can flow. It is misdirected.
Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and the right wing "conspiracy" as Hillary Clinton called it, are leading much of this charge. Many who are opposed to the mosque think President Obama is a Muslim, wasn’t born here and is some sort of black Islamic Manchurian candidate. Beck, Limbaugh and those who believe that fantasy are delusional, stupid or mentally impaired.
What is very true is that the Muslim community, worldwide, has done a very poor job convincing the civilized world that they reject the most extreme elements of their religion. Many peace loving Muslims, which are certainly the majority, have remained silent and allowed their religion to be used as a weapon against democracy and freedom. Osama Bin Ladin, the nineteen 9-11 hi-jackers, Al-Queda, the Taliban and other fringe groups of Islam conduct their activities with the tacit approval of the Arab World. Fifteen of the hi-jackers were from Saudi Arabia. Our "ally" Saudi Arabia, continues to fund madrassas around the world churning out thousands of believers in Wahhabism, a most radical form of Sunni Islam that has no room for democracy or freedom.
Weaving through all this hatred on both sides is the Jewish factor and the State of Israel. Much of the Arab World remains in a state of war with Israel. (Jordan and Egypt have peace treaties). Iran is doing its level best to develop a nuclear bomb to destroy the Jewish state. If allowed to flourish the radical Islamic World would destroy the Jews first then all other nonbelievers.
Both sides in the mosque debate are arguing and fighting over what they believe they can accomplish. Not necessarily what could advance a solution to the wedge between Islam and America.
Those for the mosque know they will get to build their mosque somewhere in New York City. The opposition has a ready made issue to claim a degree of victory in the "war on terrorism" should they prevail in moving the mosque.
The question is not if a mosque can be built, there are over 2000 places of Muslim prayer in the United States today. The former Burlington Coat factory will be built into an Islamic center and mosque. The questions really are; when will the Arab World recognized Israel’s right to exist? When will the "moderate" elements of Islam rise up and destroy the fringe groups that claim leadership of Islam? And when will we as a country decide to stop supporting "allies" such as Saudi Arabia and others who do little to curb the further radicalization of Islam.
Or we can channel our fears, frustrations and fantasy’s into thinking the president is a Muslim and that preventing the building of a mosque will somehow make us safer and honor those murdered on September 11.
Ben Davol is a veteran of numerous local, state and federal campaigns for both Republican and Democratic candidates. He is now a freelance writer and a registered independent. he will be writing for NBCConnecticut.com during the campaign season.
Top Stories
