Who's Supporting the Enemy in the Mosque Wars?

In recent days the 'Mosque Wars' over the proposed building of an Islamic community center several blocks from Ground Zero, has reached new heights. President Obama himself has waded unsuccessfully into the controversy while critics have painted the project almost as a harbinger of the apocalypse. The Imam behind the project has been characterized as a terrorist sympathizer despite being a bridge for interfaith dialogue.

Yet, who is actually providing support for the so-called enemy? In this clip below - as part of a series called LocoWorld TV that I also post on TheGeopolitico.com - I explain what the controversy is and why the opposition to the mosque will only embolden Al Qaeda.

Taufiq Rahim is a Visiting Scholar at the Dubai School of Government and blogs daily at TheGeopolitico.com

 

Follow Taufiq Rahim on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thegeopolitico

Comments

[Jan Allen McDaniel]

07:30 AM on 08/21/2010

The "prayer area" in question:

Imam Abdul Rauf, who also speaks Arabic fluently, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Islamic centre will be financed through contributions from Muslims in the US, as well as by donations from Arab and Islamic countries. He also acknowledged that the location of the mosque, which will be able to hold over 2,000 worshippers, is the subject of much controversy and criticism from families of 9/11 victims.

http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=20990

[emma richmond]

01:20 AM on 08/20/2010

Kark Rove and FOX is behind this Mess we think CNN, Orly Taitz and her husband hae a lot to do with this, and some of MSNBC.

[chouteau47]

08:29 PM on 08/19/2010

Israel probably is sitting on the sidelines over this issue, what purpose would it serve one way or the other. Besides that their eyes are focused on Iran and what happens in that country. What is clear throughout US history is that there has always been native Americans that have resisted a large influx of peoples with different religion, culture, customs. Democracy is a ugly political system, while it requires that it be inclusive, its always with a backdrop of hatred and fear of the unknown. If the rest of the world doesn't like the process of acceptance they are witnessing in NYC, then pick up a US history book and discover that the process wasn''t invented in 2010 just for Islam. First were the Catholics, Jews, Mormons, the American Indians. Then start a list of immigrants, Irish, Italians, Germans, ect. African slaves and freed Blacks have their own cataory. The community center will be built as it should be, but there will be problems in doing it. Its our way to be the ugly American, a much better alternative then to be a role model. The rest of the world must really have lousy governments if the US is a beacon.

[practical 1]

05:34 PM on 08/19/2010

"THEY CAME FIRST for the Muslims,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim.

THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."

It is scary what the radical right wing is saying. They represent hate,fear and ignorance.

[mllindsay]

12:24 AM on 08/20/2010

Not sure why you say this is the radical right wing. Please clarify what you arer saying.

[practical 1]

09:04 AM on 08/22/2010

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/10/sarah-palin-american-law_n_569922.html

Sarah Palin and Sharron Angle are good examples. They want to drop the separation of church and state and impose "christian law". It starts with that and then we end up like Iran. A theocracy instead of a democracy. Read about it, before they burn all the books.

[mommadona]

12:22 PM on 08/19/2010

Just a perspective ~ I suggest the problem lies in the fact that, as stated "I am Muslim first" ~ the detractors in this discussion state "I am Christian first" ~ So, BOTH are stating "We hold our religion over our fealty to a country or its government."

How THAT works in a secular country is beyond me. Playing our ideological battles out in the "freedom of religion" United States ~ it's sooo easy to do and sooo easy to fall into.

Many Westerners see Islam as a theocracy. How can we not?

I would also state we have 'pockets' of theocracies present now in the United States.

The mormon cult was driven out of the then United States and now own their own state controlled by their religion.

Hassidic Jews on the East Coast could just as well be strolling the streets of Jerusalem. They have a theocratic government within these United States.

Then, there's the militants of the Opus Dei & Knights of Malta Catholics~fealty owed only to the sitting Pope.

And, our very own 'home-grown' Southern Baptists known for their "Sharia" style of control...so...."Pay no attention to those men behind that curtain."

"Houston, we have a problem" #UncleSam & #MsLiberty

[BlackSnake333]

04:28 PM on 08/19/2010

I agree, The problem stems from people on both side placing their ideolody or religion before the country....

[Taufiq Rahim]

04:59 PM on 08/19/2010

Religion is a part of the private lives of US citizens, and can be practiced in any way, shape or form, so long as that it does not contravene the laws of the country. In that spirit, religion is complementary rather than substitutional (i.e. for nationalism) in one's identity.

[mllindsay]

12:30 AM on 08/20/2010

People forget it freedom of religion and sepration of church and state is to practice the religion if it does not hamr others. Actually I am a Christian first which helps me to be a better citizen, love my neighbor...I hope you actually study the Bible. True Christianity or converts to Christ have done more to help. Muslim (especially extemist), have done more destruction, this is a fact. If the law of the country say I cannot pray, or if the law says a church has to marry two men or two women, then God is to be obeyed rather than the law.

[Tracy Hall Simrell]

03:07 AM on 08/20/2010

Your kidding me right? Do you need a reminder of the bad things "christians " have done? The crusaides, Westboro Baptist Church, the "christian" who shot an abortion dr in church. People have been killing in Gods name since the beginning of time. How can you say that the Christian religion is anymore right or moral than any other religion? Practice your religion if it does not harm others? Keeping two people in love from being legally married, does hurt them. The Bible teaches hate the sin not the sinner. Did you forget that part, or do you just use religion to hide your bigot nature?

[Ravenlea]

11:40 AM on 08/19/2010

Well said!

[Taufiq Rahim]

04:56 PM on 08/19/2010

Thanks Ravenlea.

[Tracy Hall Simrell]

03:19 AM on 08/20/2010

What a wonderful clip. I fully agree with everything you said. I have explained to my friends that the Imam is holding and olive branch and we are loading a gun! America needs to wake up. Intolerance is no longer acceptable practice and I for one am truely glad. Those who choose to deny others freedom, do not deserve it for themself~~ Abe Lincoln!