[Politics_CurrentEvents_Group] Some family members of 9/11 victims to support mosque construction

Some family members of 9/11 victims to support mosque construction

From Jason Kessler, CNN

August 25, 2010 9:39 a.m. EDT

Battle over Islamic center evolves

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Group says it wants to support religious freedom
Rally will be in Manhattan
Construction of Islamic center near New York's ground zero has stirred debate nationwide

New York (CNN) -- Some family members of 9/11 victims will rally Wednesday in support of a controversial mosque and Islamic center that is scheduled to be built near New York City's ground zero.

Their group, called September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, will also be joined by at least 40 religious and civic organizations, and is expected to announce the creation of a coalition called New York Neighbors for American Values. The coalition's goals include support of "religious freedom and diversity" and the rejection of "crude stereotypes meant to frighten and divide us."

The rally is scheduled to be outside a municipal building in Manhattan.

Plans to build the community center and mosque near the site have stirred emotions nationwide.

On Tuesday, New York Gov. David Paterson met with Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who had offered to mediate in the situation.

On Tuesday, New York Gov. David Paterson met with Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, who had offered to mediate in tAfter After the meeting, Dolan urged advocates on both sides of the issue to ratchet down their rhetoric.

"What we do not need are protests but promoters. Promoters of dialogue, civility," Dolan said.

Also at an Iftar dinner marking the breaking of the Ramadan fast Tuesday evening, Mayor Michael Bloomberg forcefully affirmed his support for the project.

"We are Americans, each with an equal right to worship and pray where we choose. There is nowhere in the five boroughs of New York City that is off-limit to any religion," he told an audience at Gracie Mansion that included the center's developer, Sharif el-Gamal.

The Islamic center's leaders say the $100 million facility calls for a community center including a mosque, performing arts center, gym, swimming pool and other public spaces.

It will be built near where the World Trade Center was destroyed by Islamic extremists on September 11, 2001. The attacks killed more than 2,700 people.

Some New Yorkers say an Islamic center near the site is a painful affront.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released earlier this month marked nationwide opposition to the proposed facility at 68 percent.

__._,_.___

Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic

Messages in this topic (1)

Recent Activity: