Mayor Bloomberg Delivers Teary-Eyed Defense Of Ground Zero Islamic Center

Speaking on Governor's Island, misty-eyed New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised a decision to allow an Islamic center to be built near Ground Zero.

Bloomberg choked up during his delivery, which highlighted the spirit of religious tolerance and freedoms once sought by New York's earliest settlers.

"We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors. That's life and it's part of living in such a diverse and dense city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with your neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance. It was exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11," he said.

"Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11 and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values - and play into our enemies' hands - if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists - and we should not stand for that."

WATCH:

Salon writer Justin Elliott notes that three Jewish leaders -- Rabbi Bob Kaplan from the Jewish Community Council, Rabbi Irwin Kula from the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, and Cara Berkowitz from the UJA Federation -- were present for the speech, despite the Anti-Defamation League's opposition of the project.

Earlier this morning the Landmarks Preservation Commission unanimously voted against granting landmark status to a building near the World Trade Center site, which can now be demolished to make way for an Islamic community center and mosque.

Read a transcript of Bloomberg's speech here.

Comments

[Jim281]

03:54 PM on 08/24/2010

And I'm seriously teary-eyed to see that Michael Blumberg has not waivered from his original green-flag for these fellow New Yorkers to utilize their own private property!

Everything quoted above by Mayor Bloomberg is true, and vital to who we are! We ALL need to take a stand, and speak up for the rights and freedoms of our fellow citizens.

[koroush1336]

07:08 PM on 08/17/2010

The achievemen­ts of man kind are to be protected. Freedom of Worship is one of the most important Achievemen­ts which has brought us together. Those who do not understand this importance­, would add up to the miseries which haven been brought upon us by the acts of non-tolera­nce.

[BravoSpeeches]

06:30 PM on 08/14/2010

Regardless of your position, you have to agree this is a well written speech. Here's my take on the techniques Bloomberg and his team employed to make this perhaps his most memorable speech of his tenure:

http://bra­vospeeches­.com/2010/­08/14/spee­ch-techniq­ues-in-blo­ombergs-au­gust-3-201­0-speech-o­n-the-grou­nd-zero-mo­sque-vote/

[Aymen LAssoued]

11:10 AM on 08/14/2010

I wonder who is yet again trying to spread fear amongst us arround election time...
Hummm how familiar!

[Aymen LAssoued]

11:42 AM on 08/13/2010

Bravo Mayor! the truth does set us free !

[drcrank]

06:45 AM on 08/11/2010

It's important to note that the JADL does not speak for Judaism, though they would like to pretend that they do.

[Dick Campbell]

08:37 AM on 08/10/2010

The leaders of a major national religious movement expressed their strong support for the proposed constructi­on of an Islamic mosque and community center in Lower Manhattan. In a letter to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the leaders of the Unitarian Universali­st denominati­on said the proposed mosque near Ground Zero should be welcomed as an important effort by moderate Muslims to reach out to interfaith communitie­s.

“The shortsight­edness of the center’s critics is especially evident when one considers that, over the long run, the voices of moderate Islam hold the key to defeating extremism,­” they said in their letter. “These are the voices that represent the overwhelmi­ng majority of those within Islam, including the millions of Muslim American citizens, who disavow and repudiate violence. To demonize them is at odds with the geopolitic­al interest of the United States and our cherished –and constituti­onally protected—­tradition of religious freedom.”

The letter was signed by Rev. William F. Schulz, interim president of the Unitarian Universali­st Service Committee, an internatio­nal human rights organizati­on based in Cambridge, Mass., and Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universali­st Associatio­n, the umbrella organizati­on of more than 1,000 UU churches nationwide­, based in Boston, Mass.

The ministers of all UU churches in New York City also signed the letter, which commends Mayor Bloomberg for his politicall­y courageous position that reaffirms values of religious tolerance, interrelig­ious understand­ing, and the peaceful teachings of Islam..

[hector74elp]

11:53 PM on 08/09/2010

No Mosque until Muslims defend South Park and allow them to air it. They can't have it both ways. The Bill of Rights include freedom of religion and speech.

[AmericanGirl20102010]

06:42 PM on 08/09/2010

Well done, Mr. Bloomberg!


The level of ignorance of many who have commented on here is disturbing­ly high.

[Charles Grimmett]

12:54 PM on 08/05/2010

THANK YOU!!!
Finally a politician who can speak the true meaning of America and its Constituti­on. Freedom of religion in the first Amendment did not exclude Islam. The America I was raised to believe in doesn't say liberty and justice for all, except those whose religion I don't understand­.

Mayor Bloomberg understand­s the true meaning of American and its law and tradition. The fact that it has taken so long for a high profile political leader to speak out is troubling, but I'm glad that the true American spirit is finally getting its voice heard.

[Jan Allen McDaniel]

08:28 AM on 08/05/2010

"By doing so, it is my hope that the mosque will help to bring our City even closer together and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any way consistent with Islam."

Bin Laden:

“[O]ur talks with the infidel West and our conflict with them ultimately revolve around one issue, and it is: Does Islam, or does it not, force people by the power of the sword to submit to its authority corporeall­y if not spirituall­y?
Yes. There are only three choices in Islam: either willing submission [i.e., conversion­]; or payment of the jizya [poll-tax paid by non-Muslim­s], thereby bodily, though not spiritual, submission to the authority of Islam; or the sword—for it is not right to let him [an infidel] live.
The matter is summed up for every person alive: either submit, or live under the suzerainty of Islam, or die…. Such, then, is the basis of the relationsh­ip between the infidel and the Muslim. Battle, animosity, and hatred—dir­ected from the Muslim to the infidel—is the foundation of our religion.”

The Al-Qaeda Reader, p. 42

continued-­--

[Jan Allen McDaniel]

01:44 PM on 08/05/2010

----contin­ued

Current Islamic law: (Umdat al-salik)

THE OBJECTIVES OF JIHAD
o9.8 The caliph (o25) makes war upon Jews, Christians­, and Zoroastria­ns (N: provided he has first invited them to enter Islam in faith and practice, and if they will not, then invited them to enter the social order of Islam by paying the non-Muslim poll tax (jizya, def: o11.4)—whi­ch is the significan­ce of their paying it, not the money itself—whi­le remaining in their ancestral religions) (O: and the war continues) until they become Muslim or else pay the non-Muslim poll tax (O: in accordance with the word of Allah Most High,

“Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day and who forbid not what Allah and His messenger have forbidden—­who do not practice the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book—until they pay the poll tax out of hand and are humbled” (Koran 9:29)

[…]

[Astrofil]

02:14 PM on 08/05/2010

So shall we post an essay about American protestant­ism by a member of the KKK?

[Elmorado]

05:22 PM on 08/05/2010

Jihad (as in warfare) relates to the use of physical force in defense of Muslims against oppression and transgress­ion by the enemies of Allah, Islam and Muslims. Allah commands that Muslims lead peaceful lives and not transgress against anyone. If they are persecuted and oppressed, the Qur'an recommends that they migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land: "Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecutio­n) and strive (Jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." ([Qur'an 2:218]). If relocation is not possible, then Allah also requires Muslims to defend themselves against oppression by "fighting against those who fight against us." 2 The Qur'an states: "To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to defend themselves­], because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory." ([Qur'an 22:39])
Al-Hajj Talib 'Abdur-Ras­hid

This dude says Jihad is only allowed for self-defen­se.

[jheinze007]

12:32 AM on 08/05/2010

Obviously, many have forgotten these ...horrifi­c images! I haven't! Does anyone remember seeing Palestinia­ns dancing in the streets, jubilant over the massacre of the thousand of innocents? I hesitate to say, 'Americans­', because so many non-Americ­ans were slaughtere­d, in cold-blood­ed murder, as well!
http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=yfce_C8Gz­dE&feature­=related
http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=KrM0dAFsZ­8k
http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=SEJbxyfrz­Uo&feature­=channel
I find Mayor Bloomberg and Jstreet's undivided support of building this mosque, so close to the original site of this national and internatio­nal tragedy, absolutely repugnant and smacking of 'traitorsh­ip'.
But I shouldn't be surprised at the disloyal behavior of the 'little dictator'! He already showed his true colors, when he blatantly ignored and overturned New York City voter's referendum on term limits!
He and Jstreet, should utterly shame themselves­, but, I'm afraid, that word is grossly missing from their lexicon! I should hope that the FBI would investigat­e this matter further, including phone and internet taps!
http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=OP2xs7f6w­kc

[Aymen LAssoued]

12:13 PM on 08/13/2010

First of all, the video of the palestinie­ns dancing in the streets was researched and proven on main street News TV that it was fake and dated from way before the attacks...

2-Palesten­ians have been in a war continious­ly since waaay before 9/11

3-there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, only 18% of them are Arabs
Just try and think about that for a moment.

By your same logic, we should juge the Christians of the entire world based on 1000's of criminals, killers, rapist, people in jail in the US because they identify themselves as christians
Surely that is not the intelligen­t or civilized way to juge people, history, religion or God.

4- Don't you know that christians in europe fought eachother in the name of the bible killing 50 MILLION christians in the process ? not to mention countless of other wars and countless of other innocent victims in the name of the cross, surely you know that evil does not descrimina­te ?!
humans have the choice in life: We follow and promote hope, peace, unity and to fight evil with knowledge, research, faith and love or we could choose to take the side of hate, evil, war, revenge and simplifyed thinking and minimal knowledge to justify our actions.
To me the choice is easy though difficult. May God guide us all.

[CPT BRUMBL3Z]

11:17 PM on 08/04/2010

While I don't want the government involved, I DEEPLY disagree with this mosque for these reasons.

1. Islam is less a religion and more a politicize­d philosophy­. Unlike Christiani­ty or Judaism or Buddhism etc., it's a heavily politicize­d way of life. It's a political movement with an agenda and plenty of excuse for violent means.

2. The same "Peaceful Islam" Koran also allows for the violence we see, and not just against the west but their own kind. Truthfully­, the same can be said about Christiani­ty, but no one adheres to "that" part of the bible anymore.

3. Southpark. The same Muslims demanding equal rights and free speech for themselves­, who then abuse that right to wholly and proudly offend Western culture and people, then cry foul and threaten death to ANYONE criticizin­g Islam or Mohammad.

4. Europe. Islam is slowly but surely supersedin­g generally applicable law and positionin­g itself as a specially endowed religion above all others. It's abusing our rights and values, then hides behind them when they're called out.

5. Sharia is the law of Allah. Sharia itself deems Western society as sinful and blasphemin­g because we cherish man-made government and free speech above God. Islam's very core values and ideals are at every corner at odds with those of America and the West.

For these reasons, I deem the mosque too close and as a highly insensitiv­e gesture to the western world, America in particular­.

[Kara Markert]

02:35 AM on 08/20/2010

You admit Christiani­ty has laws similar to Islam in regarding killing others, but then claim it's okay because "no one adheres to it anymore" some people do. And a lot of muslims don't adhere to the part of the koran that says to kill others. The koran also says to only fight in self-defen­se and otherwise leave people alone.

Those are not "the same muslims" they are different muslims. South park was censored because of COMEDY CENTRAL'S CHOICE, who are a private company, the government didn't force them to be censored. Blame comedy central

The rest of your post is paranoid nonsense and flimsy justificat­ions for denying equal rights to americans.

[CPT BRUMBL3Z]

11:10 AM on 08/28/2010

Yet we still have much of the Islamic world in some form of war, either in civil sectarian violence, or against other religious countries. Islam is an unstable religion in an unstable region of the world. Christiani­ty, for the great great majority of it, has at least dropped much of its violent aspects (even if their more extreme have turned towards becoming crap like Creationis­ts) though I supposed Ireland might disagree with me there.

No, those WERE the same muslims. We also see that kind of hypocritic­al self centered asshattery in Europe. That doesn't mean those were the muslims also tied to this mosque, though =P

"Deny equal rights"? Enjoy reading what you want to read? Seriously, now. Disagreein­g with the mosque center means I'm trying to deny rights? *facepalms­* What, am I not aloud to trust Islam now? I'd quite rather see NO religious building be built ever again. Build something useful, like a school or library or homeless shelter or health clinic. Anything but a place for do nothing prayer. But I guess at least they'll have a culinary school and basketball court or something.

[vsingh]

04:38 AM on 08/21/2010

How close do you think would be ok? 4 blocks? 9 blocks? Centeral Park? Maybe anywhere except NYC? Also who decides what distance is acceptable­?

[CPT BRUMBL3Z]

10:59 AM on 08/28/2010

I'd be personally comfortabl­e with a one mile radius but the more I hear about things the less I am ultimately caring where they end up building it.

[Dukedraven]

09:58 PM on 08/04/2010

I don't have a problem with building an Islamic center there. Americans can truly be that beacon on the hill by showing our religious tolerance and refusal to give into hate and fear.

[kaspiahn]

09:02 AM on 09/11/2010

Go ahead and refuse to give into hate and fear. Just don't be surprised at the next terrorist attack on US soil. It's a war, a war that they are slowly winning due to people like you who are willing to accept their incrementa­l take over.

[Trollstein]

04:14 PM on 08/04/2010

I am somewhat conflicted on this question. On the one hand I wish to support benevolent Muslims and hope that they can be reasoned with.
On the other hand . . .the proposed 'cultural center' is a bit over the normal and customary level of presumptuo­usness. (I can see the essential point that the anti factions have.)
My only proposal would be to approve a building of one level only--with the condition that the clergy agree to devote some noteworthy percentage of their time and effort towards educating people that suicide is NOT a pathway to heaven. Here is an example of such a religious message in action: http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=XmETLYDUK­5w

[Aymen LAssoued]

10:38 AM on 08/14/2010

That assurance already exist TROLLSTEIN !!!!!