Ground Zero: The battle over a mosque
Conservative politicians have launched a nationwide campaign to stop the construction of an Islamic center two blocks from Ground Zero.
To bigots, said Neil Steinberg in the Chicago Sun-Times, all Jews are the same, all blacks are the same, and all Muslims are the same. Based on that ugly principle, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and a host of conservative politicians have launched a nationwide campaign to stop the construction of an Islamic center two blocks from the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan. Their reasoning: The actions of a tiny group of Islamic radicals in 2001 should “prevent another, completely separate group of Muslims from building a religious center in 2010.” Last week, the Anti-Defamation League signed on to that backward logic, despite its long history of fighting anti-Semitism. The ADL called on the moderate Muslim organization behind the proposal, the Cordoba Initiative, to build its religious center somewhere else, lest it offend the families of 9/11 victims. “Their anguish entitles them to positions that others would categorize as irrational or bigoted,” explained Abe Foxman, the ADL’s national director.
It’s hardly irrational to oppose the construction of a mosque at Ground Zero, said Clifford May in National Review Online. The Muslim cleric behind the plan, Feisal Abdul Rauf, has not explained how he plans to raise the $100 million to construct the 15-story “inter-religious center.” Rauf is reported to have ties to jihadist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and to the regime in Iran. Throughout its history as a “warriors’ religion,” Islam has often built mosques on the holy sites of vanquished Christians and Jews. So it’s natural to wonder if the Ground Zero proposal isn’t really an Islamist-funded attempt to “commemorate their victory in what they regard as a historic battle” against America, Jews, and capitalism.
“I know Feisal Abdul Rauf,” and he’s hardly a supporter of terrorism, said Jeffrey Goldberg in TheAtlantic.com. In fact, “he represents what Osama bin Laden fears most”: a moderate, modern form of Islam compatible with citizenship in a pluralistic, Western society. His proposal for a mosque near Ground Zero not only will include an outreach program to Christians and Jews, it will include a memorial to the victims of 9/11. If America starts banning mosques, said William Saletan in Slate.com, it will only prove that bin Laden was right, and that America is waging a global war on Islam. “I can’t think of a surer way to lose both our national soul and the struggle against terrorism.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'The winners and losers of AI may not be where we expect'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Shingles vaccine cuts dementia risk, study finds
Speed Read Getting vaccinated appears to significantly reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge ends Eric Adams case, Trump leverage
Speed Read Federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams were dismissed, as requested by Trump's Justice Department
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published