As an American, a Republican leader, and a practicing Muslim, the issue of building a mosque near New York's Ground Zero is of natural interest to me. For the record, I deeply support building this mosque. To my fellow conservative leaders who say they are against this project, yet claim to not be bigoted, I have news for you: you are a bigot.
Let's examine the facts: the Ground Zero mosque is not just a mosque, it is the Cordoba House, a community center that will provide meeting rooms, art exhibition galleries, a swimming pool, movie theaters, and bookstores, all in the heart of New York City, and all made freely available to the public. According to the Cordoba House website, the motivation is to create a center that will be "promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture," in addition to "providing a space for all New Yorkers to enjoy." As a matter of fact, around $100 million is being spent on all the amenities above, all for the sake of turning this distressed business district into a hub of intellect and encouraged tolerance.
Shame on Republican leaders for criticizing such a fine project. After all, I believe many of these conservatives were the same leaders who supported the bailouts of 2008 and turned blind eyes to the book-cooking that kept companies like Enron in business?
Perhaps the founders of the Cordoba House should abandon the project, convert to Christianity, and invest their $100 million into a more modest building, closed to the public, that will instead house an oil company that cooks its books to reflect fake profits? History dictates that the same conservatives criticizing the Cordoba House project would probably give this new oil company a large bailout -- provided that the good oilmen are white and Christian.
After all, Rick Lazio, a Republican leader running for Governor in New York, has called for an "investigation" of where this $100 million is coming from, with no basis other than the good donors being Muslim. The Village Voice uncovered Lazio's former profession, as a head in JPMorgan Chase's "lobbying unit," where he collected a bonus of over $1 million from the company while it collected billions in TARP funds -- this, despite the fact that his normal salary was around $325,000. Surely, if every entity was investigated for questionable investments, Lazio would be one of the first to hand us American taxpayers a check for $1 million.
Equally frustrating are calls that this project would hurt our collective spirits. As Governor Sarah Palin said on Twitter, "it stabs hearts." Stabs hearts? Since when did America become so wimpy that our conservative leaders need to protect our fragile collective ego? And, for the record, Governor Palin is one of few GOP leaders who has often promoted Islam as a religion of peace, which is why her recent twitter has 'stabbed' my heart (I was a supporter, having donated to SarahPAC).
I just cannot call Palin a "bigot," as she has said too many good things about Islam -- as has Newt Gingrich, who endorsed me during both of my political campaigns in Colorado. Nonetheless, their recent comments are not only heartbreaking, but also a further example of the GOP's brightest minds bartering thoughtful statesmanship for hurtful pandering.
But most importantly, this idea that Islam is some foreign entity that cannot cooperate with American culture is completely false. Thomas Jefferson carried a copy of the Quran in his library and is believed to have sought guidance from it. A tribute to Prophet Muhammad adorns the walls of our Supreme Court, as he is recognized as one of the world's greatest judges. And of course, a high percentage of the Africans who were enslaved by us were Muslim, but forced to convert to Christianity upon capture -- yes, I'm sure that this incident also 'stabbed' some hearts. Regardless of hurt feelings, one fact always remains -- Islam is as deeply sewn into the fabric of American history as the Confederate flag -- and that will never change.
I personally know many of the leaders behind the Cordoba House, and they are great Americans, whose good intentions reflect the idea that, while radical Islamists may have destroyed the World Trade Center, peaceful Muslims will now rebuild it, giving us a destination that is open to all, with tolerance and love as its goal.
Lastly, I am deeply proud to be an American, with a proud, personal history of denouncing terrorism, including my founding of Muslims For Bush. However, what truly reeks within this debate is not the shadow of bigotry, but rather, the cloak of dishonesty. In the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where I was born and raised, it is believed that your word -- your honesty -- is everything that makes you a man.
My fellow conservative leaders, please quit lying. If you are against the mosque, then call yourself a bigot and give us the gift of an honest dialogue, the kind we carry on so proudly here in America.
Yes, you will be a bigot -- but at least you will be a man.
Follow Muhammad Ali Hasan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/HasanDaddy
Rev. Chloe Breyer and Matthew Weiner: The Faithful Search: A Civics Primer for Real Patriots
Mr. Hasan's insensitivity to the implications of the placement of a mosque near Ground Zero is surprising. As an American, and child of great wealth and privilege of a kind his father could never have amassed in his Muslim homeland, he should understand. Yet, imagining how I would feel if a Muslim country refused to permit the construction of a Christian Cathedral near a Muslim holy site, I must admit I likewise would regard that as bigoted. Of course, that is precisely what most Muslim countries do, already. Indeed, in many, mere possession of a Bible is a serious crime, and Christian churches are banned entirely.
If Mr. Hasan were to apply his considerable intelligence to thinking seriously about the issue, he would undoubtedly agree that those who oppose placing a mosque so near where a great atrocity was committed by Muslims in the name of Islam (albeit contrary to Islam) may have a point, just as those Jews who objected to Polish Catholics placing a chapel at Auschwitz may not have been so much bigots, as too blinded by their natural rage and anger to recognize that little harm can come from opposing evil with more, rather than less, prayer.
A few things -
1. I stand by my words - when we try to prevent a building from being built, on private property, just because the builders are Muslim (or the building is a Mosque), that is BIGOTRY - no other way to slice it - supporting this movement is supporting the civil liberties and Constitutional rights that make America wonderful, not just Islam
2. Yes - I am very very Blessed for being born and raised in America and my family is also Blessed - America has given us much more than any Muslim country ever could - that said - America gave those opportunities and riches to my parents because of its wonderful Constitution, civil liberties, and guaranteed rights
Thus - isn't it only natural that I defend those rights, at all costs??? If the situation was reversed, I would still be fighting - after all, my consistent support of rights for gay couples, as well as opposition against the Patriot Act, is proof that my number one political love is not Islam, but rather, American civil liberties
Love and peace - ALI
Am I upset that we didn't win the GOP primary for State Treasurer? No.
Yes, I wish the result was different, but I have no anger against anyone, nor any ill will towards the Colorado GOP
First off, feel free to check Colorado SOS records - I have contributed to almost every GOP rookie running for Colorado State House or Senate in 2010 and I remain proud of that fact -
http://www.sos.state.co.us/
Second, I've been an ardent supporter of Ken Buck, as well as publicly requesting contributions for many Colorado GOP candidates, even after my losing - check my Twitter page for proof -
http://twitter.com/hasandaddy
I hold no grudges - my film career is going well and life is good (thank you God - I'm very Blessed) - one door closes, another one opens - life goes on
Lastly - if I was mad at the Colorado GOP, why would I secure revenge by supporting a Mosque in NYC??? I've come to find that most people with vendettas usually exercise revenge more intelligently
Love and peace to AreYouJoking - ALI
Imam Rauf paid $4.8 million in cash for the property? Where did he get the money? The Saudis? Imam Rauf has made statements that US policy is to blame for the 9/11 attacks, which is the Taqqiya cover for Islamic Jihad against the West.
The Mosque is intended to be an Islamic Triumphalist symbol that Islam will prevail over the Kuffar United States. It has nothing to do with 1st Amendment religious rights, but a notification to Muslims that soon the Shari'ah will prevail over America.
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Mussulmen,—and as the said States never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
I bring this up because Islamophobes often bring up the Barbary wars as a part of their propaganda. As with all things they present, the manipulation of the facts is amazing.
I'm not personally opposing the building of the mosque/cultural center there, I just think that both sides have reasonable arguments and there's no point in bigotry accusations except for where they are appropriate (I would agree that the sign about synagogues in Saudi Arabia shows bigotry and is highly inappropriate)
That said - there's no other word to describe people who oppose a particular building, just because the builders are Muslim - that's bigotry as well - no other way around it
" I just cannot call Palin a "bigot," as she has said too many good things about Islam -- as has Newt Gingrich" - Oh please those 2 would take money from anyone and say anything to get it. The proof is above.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/cityofbrass/2009/09/sarah-palin-on-islam-and-china.html
Second, Newt Gingrich endorsed both my runs for office
Perhaps I'm being intellectually dishonest, but I can't bring myself to criticize the two - I just pray that their opinions change
Does the Cordoba house support marriage between a non-muslim man and a muslim woman ?
Honestly, there are many people that make up the leadership of the Cordoba House, so I don't really think you can corner them into one opinion - for what it is worth, one of the main advisors to Cordoba is Randy Benn, a very active Christian man - thus, I am to conclude that Cordoba leaders would probably support such a marriage
evidence -
http://www.cordobainitiative.org/?q=content/staff-bios
Thank you for the response. I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough with my question. I'll try again.
Will the mosque at the proposed community center officate marriages between a non-muslim man and a muslim woman ?
If the answer is, "Yes", then the center will truly be, "promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture". And, I would give my full support to the building of this center. However, if the answer is, "No", then the mission has failed before the first brick has been laid. In short, it will be a center of bigotry and division. And, I would oppose it for all I'm worth.
You say people who oppose this center are bigots. Well, sometimes I am a bigot. I am a bigot towards bigots. I am intolerant towards the intolerant. I bothered to write this because you said you know some of the leaders personally, so I hope you will ask them if they will officiate such marriages. I hope their answer is, "Yes".
I'm looking forward to hearing their response.
Respectfully Yours,
qzy
we can't put our heads in the sand and say that there are NOT terrible radical groups out there that hate America who are Muslim - so the center should show as much as it can that it is NOT them, and distance it self by showing its neighbors and say , look, we are moving into the neighborhood by ground zero where people were killed by these terrible groups. To show you we are different from these radical groups, we will show you who our funders are.
This will certainly solve a big problem and ease some tensions big time.of the $100 million
If the organizers would just answer these money questions, it would solve a lot of the problems they are having if they would show everyone that the money is not coming from any terrorist or terrorist related organization, then people could relax about the mosque a bit and relax about their new neighbors and then listen to them that their fears are unfounded, they are not terrorists, just people who want to worship and have a community center.
BUT they haven't shown their list of investors - they have REFUSED to do this - and this is a real problem.
who is funding them?? This should be everyone's question. And it shouldn't keep getting brushed off.
For now, to put them through extraneous processes just because they're Muslim... well... again... that's bigotry
The founders gave a mechanism to AMMEND The Constitution. But, you wouldn't know that, probably because you are an illegal alien. You like the freedom of speech ? That's and AMMENDMENT to the Constitution.....
Go drink some paint.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/cityofbrass/2009/09/sarah-palin-on-islam-and-china.html
Palin, of the major contenders for the GOP Presidential nomination, has shown to be much more open-minded and intellectual than most contenders - give credit where credit is due - which is why her recent comments are all the more heartbreaking - the GOP, indeed, is losing its brightest minds, Palin being one of them
.........sittin' way up high....
Bob Segar
Rubbish. The philosopher Karl Popper explained it: "Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant society will be destroyed and tolerance with them."
Why call it Cordoba, with all the past history and ideological baggage?
I believe that needs to be addressed.
Ali Hasan first you quit lying. Thomas Jefferson bought the copy of Koraan for different reasons.
"In March 1785, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams went to negotiate with Tripoli's envoy to London, Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdrahaman (or Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja). Upon inquiring "concerning the ground of the pretensions to make war upon nations who had done them no injury", the ambassador replied:
It was written in their Koran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every muslim who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. He said, also, that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share, and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy's ship, every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once."
He purchased the Book to acquaint himself with the contents and there is no evidence that he drew inspiration from the contents. ISLAM IS AT WAR WITH US SINCE THEN.
The United States HAS acknowledged the Prophet, and there IS homage to him on the walls of the Supreme Court.
I would argue that any suggestion that Jefferson took inspiration from the Qu'ran or not is pure speculation. Thomas Jefferson's, like the majority of the Founding Fathers, was a mind of the Enlightenment, and not bound by the suffocating limits of dogmatic thinking -- Christian or otherwise.
Furthermore, it would seem perfectly logical that a thinker like Jefferson could have, and would have, sought inspiration from a number of sources -- including the Qu'ran. If there's no evidence to support this, then there's simply no evidence. However, the prospect would certainly not be out of character for Jefferson or other thinkers of the time.
I myself don't take any religious allegory for truth, yet that has not prevented me from seeing a few redeemable things about organized religions. I'm not calling myself Jefferson, but I am a Socratic-type thinker -- as was he, and examining the world around us, and re-examining it, absolutely serves a purpose and opens the possibilities that he may have indeed sought inspiration from the Qu'ran. Maybe he didn't find it, but again, I don't think that either side could be definitively argued as one side is completely characteristic of Jefferson, yet lacking supporting evidence, and the other is uncharacteristic of an Enlightenment thinker.
"ISLAM IS AT WAR WITH US SINCE THEN."
Wow! You might as well come out of the closet and say "I hate Islam and Muslims" cuz it's really obvious you do.
Overall, there are very few tributes in the Supreme Court to historical individuals - Prophet Muhammad is celebrated in America, whether people like it or not