Ground Zero Mosque APPEAL: Conservative Law Firm Will Fight Go-Ahead Vote

By Alfredo Garcia
Religion News Service

(RNS) A conservative religious law firm plans to appeal a decision that grants a green light for the construction of an Islamic community center two blocks from Ground Zero.

The Washington-based American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) opposes the construction of the Cordoba House in lower Manhattan because the building currently at the site "stands as an iconic part of the cultural and historical fabric of America."

The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission on Tuesday (Aug. 3) voted unanimously not to grant historic status to the site, eliminating a key hurdle that allows planning and construction to go forward.

The ACLJ, which represents a retired New York City firefighter, called the vote "deeply offensive," adding that they are "poised to file legal action on behalf of our client to challenge this flawed decision and put a stop to this project."

Tension has mounted in recent weeks regarding what critics call the "Ground Zero Mosque," while proponents say it will not be a mosque and that it is not at Ground Zero.

As Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, CEO of the Cordoba Initiative, told Reuters, the future project will be a community center -- which includes a prayer hall -- modeled after the YMCA.

The ACLJ, however, said in a press release that the vote ignores "the fact that this is a historic and hallowed site that should not be destroyed to build an Islamic mosque."

In a July 20 letter submitted to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, the ACLJ said its opposition "is not based upon fear, hostility or prejudice, but rather the unique architectural and historical characteristics of the building and the public's interest in preserving the history of the September 11th events."

Rauf, in a statement, thanked the commission for its "careful and thoughtful consideration," saying he was grateful to them and local elected officials for "their commitment to the democratic and constitutional ideals we all hold dear and which the community center we hope to create on the site will honor."

The joint statement from the New York Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU praised the decision for "promoting our nation's core values and not letting bias get in the way of the rule of law."

Comments

[soo tuck choong]

12:07 AM on 08/16/2010

I think for a mosque building to be built so close to the Twin Towers that they have destroyed is the thing people are very, very angry with. The destruction is not caused by Christians or Buddists or Hindus, but the Muslims. So doesn't the people have the right to be angry for it to be built there? And though some Muslims have claimed that the terrorists who did it are not following the Quran or the right teachings of the religion, but in history, similar terrible things has been going on by Muslims all over the world since the beginning of this religion. Their teachings of love - is only for those within their Muslim community, those who are not, Muslims are taught to shun them, to k... them- which was how terrorists were formed, and how the people in Twin Towers were destroyed.

[ProudMilVet]

05:42 AM on 08/13/2010

She probably thinks she's at a Bingo game.

[abra1967]

07:35 AM on 08/12/2010

Nice picture lady....

[Barbara Graham]

02:30 PM on 08/11/2010

I would have said it was insensitive to build an Islamic community center close to Ground Zero, but c'mon! I'm trying to get offended that they want to improve an old Burlington Coat Factory building, with little success.

However, I do wonder about female visitors to this facility. Will they have to be sequestered? Cover their hair? Have separate facilities?

Remember, this is not a mosque, it's a community center. How are they going to handle this in a way that western women will feel welcome while still adhering to their belief that we are no better than soulless goats?

[AKL1985]

02:52 PM on 08/12/2010

You're mistaken. It was Catholics who used to debate if women had a soul.

[Barbara Graham]

04:57 PM on 08/12/2010

It appears that I was badly misinformed. Shoulda checked better before hitting the 'post' button.

[f0rTyLeGz]

02:10 AM on 08/11/2010

This is truly perfect issue for the crazy right. It is all about the victims. They died and now GroundZero is holy holy holy. But it's not holy to Muslims, Jews, atheists, Scientologists, and Wiccans, and all the other religions. Nope it's holy to the MAJORITY. It's holy to Jesus ground. They want to vote on it. That's the American way... isn't it?

[DevonTexas]

03:44 PM on 08/10/2010

"The ACLJ, which represents a retired New York City firefighter..."

Their client isn't even a family member of a victim!? Granted, even that shouldn't give the ACLJ the right to sue. It's just a fund-raising vehicle.

[trinity]

01:22 PM on 08/10/2010

This just sooooo...saddens me. I cannot believe Americans are acting like this. I remember when 9/11 happened, I was taking some classes at a local college and the Muslim students (especially the women in their hijab) needed escorts for their protection. One lady commented that she had wanted to pull over to a stand that was selling American flags, to get a couple for her children and a big one for her home, and the owner yelled obscenities at her and she was so frightened over the experience...I see times have not changed much...pathetic...

[Johaely]

07:33 PM on 08/09/2010

Wow. It's so transparent the fact that they are grasping straw just to stop this mosque. I'm completely speechless.

[FantasticFourFan]

12:40 AM on 08/09/2010

Why does ACLJ hate the constitution? And what is at the site now is an old Burlington Coat Factory. Not exactly what I would consider Smithsonian material.

[DevonTexas]

03:45 PM on 08/10/2010

good points.

[BasilBanana]

11:52 PM on 08/08/2010

I think the picture was placed out of context...I am pretty sure she is saying:

"Looooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvee!!!!"

[Gurg]

09:54 PM on 08/08/2010

They are trying to build a Church right accross the street from a middle school less than 500 yards from my house. Should I go protest this decision? Should I hold signs and tell these Christians that this country is not theirs?

I'm really debating this right now.

[DevonTexas]

03:46 PM on 08/10/2010

the irony would be lost on them.

[calltoaction]

08:43 PM on 08/08/2010

to use Glenn Beck's logic, Mayor Bloomberg must be a secret Muslim

[calltoaction]

08:41 PM on 08/08/2010

it 's a community center!

Cordoba House is a Muslim-led project which will build a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City. The center will be community-driven, serving as a platform for inter-community gatherings and cooperation at all levels, providing a space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

This proposed project is about promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture. Cordoba House will provide a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a center of learning, art and culture; and most importantly, a center guided by universal values in their truest form - compassion, generosity, and respect for all.

The site will contain tremendous amounts of resources that otherwise would not exist in Lower Manhattan; a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores, restaurants - all these services would form a cultural nexus for a region of New York City that, as it continues to grow, requires the sort of hub that Cordoba House will provide.

http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/ci-news-archive

[alaschu]

06:30 PM on 08/08/2010

Is this the picture she's putting on her Christmas card?

[Janetshusb]

01:58 PM on 08/09/2010

OMG........ LMAO

[valley boy]

04:33 PM on 08/08/2010

This is just a continuation of the wars spawned by the Crusades. "Our god is better than your god
and we'll kill, rape, burn, mutilate and destroy civilization to prove our god is better and the rest will go on to eternal punishment, which we'll start here." Who said this? Both sides