Hello my name is mosqueman2010. Over the past few weeks I have heard a lot about the possibility of having a mosque or community center being built in Manhattan close to or on Ground Zero. Personally, I think we should build a Mosque close to Ground Zero. It will display the great progress this country has made since the September 11th attacks, as well as strike a blow against the terrorists who attacked us. The building of a Mosque in Manhattan would promote unity, forgiveness, and compassion; everything that terrorists hate. However, there are some people who oppose the building of a Mosque. The reason they are against it is because they have a preconceived notion that all Muslims are violent, and if a Mosque is built in Manhattan it will open the area to more terrorist action. They think that a Mosque in Manhattan would be a terrorist victory, giving them new conviction to try and destroy everything we hold dear. But, a building of a Mosque would be a terrorist defeat, not a victory! We can defeat the terrorists with love and compassion. If we all channel our inner-hippie we can promote unity and peace in the world. We will be able to accept all people regardless of race or religion. I feel that the building of a Mosque in Manhattan would be an excellent first step in causing the peace and unity the world needs.
I take special interest in this topic because of the controversy that it entails. I realize that the mosque could be seen as a defeat of the terrorists, however, I feel like there is a deeper issue at hand rather than defeating people who essentially ruined the city of New York and enraged millions of Americans. Building a mosque, especially one named after the most radical Muslim group from the eighth century, as close as plans display in accordance with where ground zero is located enlists certain emotional appeal to families affected by the terrorist attacks. Out of respect, I believe the mosque plans should be moved to a different location. Families who lost loved ones or even their homes due to the terrorist attacks do not all necessarily “hate on” the Islamic religion, they just feel threatened. Think about it, if someone dressed in a large clown suit came and surprised you but ending up scaring you, I don’t think you would ever feel safe around a clown again. Now though this is a very vague example of what happened, it makes the feelings of affected families simplified. Though their feelings against the Islam religion are not going to last forever, these families most likely do not feel comfortable inviting a religion that many terrorists who caused the attacks claimed to follow. Out of respect for the families and friends affected by the terrorist’s attacks, I think plans for building the mosque at ground zero should be moved to a further location from the site previously planned. Americans feelings toward Islamic religions will eventually shift, however a radical movement such as this will make emotions rise.
ReplyDeleteI have no prejudice against the Islam people living in America, but I think they are being irrational about the location of the mosque. I think that if it is put up, it will only cause them to face more problems than just protesting. I can assure you, coming from New York, that the hardcore activists who are opposing the building of the Mosque have no problem hurting people to close the mosque down. Already I have seen the fights that have erupted in the streets about it. A cab driver was stabbed in the city because his passenger was angry that he was Islamic and he claimed the man was mocking him about the American's constant stereotyping and how they worry too much. Everyday it seems like this issue is covered on all news stations, and I think it's definitely a big debate that may give some candidates an advantage over others in the upcoming election.
ReplyDeleteI see both of your concerns and respect both of them fully! I will adress your comments in my next blog post!
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