Mosque Scheduled To Be Built Near World Trade Center Faces Growing Opposition

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Ground Zero, NYC; photo credit: haracat3"][/caption]

Mayor Bloomberg and the Manhattan Bureau President have no qualms about the building of a mosque near the World Trade Center, Uncoverage reports. But many of the loved ones who paid the ultimate price do.

Yes, it is true that we must juxtapose the rights afforded under our First Amendment, which gives us, among other freedoms, the rights to assemble and worship, to that of the empathy for those who died on 911. And even though in a pure legal argument those who want to erect the mosque would win, not everything that is expedient or legal must be had.

There are times when we make sacrifices for peace, foregoing rights and embracing the ‘olive branch” to secure the whole. Case in point, I think that my Muslim brothers and sisters would be incensed if the powers that be were to allow a butcher shop engaging in the killing of swine to be adjacent, or in close proximity to, one of their mosques.

I have no doubts that the many Muslims who want this mosque erected mean no offense or disrespect to the victims of 911. But right or wrong, the proposed building of this mosque comes off as being disrespectful and cavalier at best in its' appearance… and the fact that there are ample other areas to build the mosque further exacerbates the situation.

I have to use another example to plead with those who want the mosque built to engender the empathy that many of those who opposed mosques in what they deem as sacred. How many of our Muslim brothers would be up in arms if a 24 hour strip bar, featuring naked women, were allowed to operate in the vicinity of a mosque?

I make these points because everyone who reads this blog and is objective knows my query is rhetorical. We live in a country where  we did not start the conflict in Iraq on the Muslim holy days (Ramadan, etc) so as not to offend the Muslim world.

You must reciprocate, realizing that this is the “Melting Pot” that you chose to live in and where the concept of quid pro quo is a vital tool in all our survival, especially on the island of Manhattan.