Salam,
Hope everyone’s Ramadan is going well insh’Allah. Remember to keep the people of Pakistan and all those suffering around the world in your prayers during this blessed month.
With all the heated debates and discussions going on surrounding the Park 51 Mosque, I decided to gather some quotes I’ve been taking note of and to share them with all of you.
A lot of the opinions and perspectives in support of the new Mosque has been expressed in similar ways, but I wanted to share some distinct statements by a few known individuals.
Mayor Bloomberg:
“This nation was founded on the principle that the government must never choose between religions or favor one over another. The World Trade Center site will forever hold a special place in our city, in our hearts. But we would be untrue to the best part of ourselves and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans if we said no to a mosque in lower Manhattan.
“Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11, and that our Muslim neighbors grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values and play into our enemies’ hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists, and we should not stand for that.
President Barack Obama
“Let me clear, as a citizen and President, I believe Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan with local laws and orders. This is America and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcomed in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are.”
Eboo Patel
“This seems to me a little like telling black people 50 years ago, you know you can sit anywhere on the bus you like, just not the front.”
CNN interviewer: I don’t think black people were behind the terrorist attacks
Eboo Patel:
“And American Muslims weren’t behind the terrorist attacks either.”The American Muslims who are firefighters, police officers, who coach little leagues and serve in the PTA deserve another name, an honored name and that is “Fellow American”.
Excellent Article from Cracked.com: the excerpt below is from “3 Reasons the “Ground Zero Mosque” Debate Makes No Sense
“Let me make something clear. In order to make these statements you must hate two things: logic and America. There is NO way to say that an individual has a protected right to do something and simultaneously criticize your government for not suppressing the execution of that right. There is no way for President Obama or any other president to put a stumbling block in the way of the free exercise of religion without violating the sanctity of that freedom. Should I say it more simply? OK. You can’t legally stop people from obeying the law.”
May Allah swt reward and protect those Muslims and Non Muslims who are standing up for the truth and insh’Allah (God willing) make this project a success. Ameen.
All the haters need to Chill Yo Islam Yo. Where is the love?
Related posts:
Would Americans be allowed to wave their flag in saudi arabia, iraq or iran? Would they be allowed to build a church in mecca or maybe a synagogue?
That question has nothing to do with this. Since when is what happens in Saudi Arabia or Iraq or Iran have to do with how we as Americans live in our society?
They did not write the constitution and we don't ask them if we should follow it. Why should I care what they allow or don't allow? I was born and raised in America, not there.
Saudi Arabia has great influence in America since Saudi Arabia gives huge amounts of money to build mosques in America and finances the City of Fairfax, Virgina with a Wahhabe school for muslims. Do Muslims support the U.S. Constitution? Yes or No!
Our ancestors came to America for religious freedom, we are built on freedom! Muslim's did not attack the US on 9/11…..it was a group of sick individuals, follows of a deranged man. Muslim Americans have as much right to practice their religion as Christian and Jewish Americans do….peace starts at home
Answer…….no! We need to correct this because it makes us look hypocritical to the world.
New Yorkers are anxious because similiar Muslim projects have expressed " ideals that include service to humanity, speaking out against injustice, and promoting a high moral standard amongst society" through "the implementation of a program that seeks to achieve these ideals which they call Iqamat-ud-Deen, the establishment of the Islamic system of life. "
Would it not be a wise decision for the Muslim community to address these concerns so as to prevent a sense of Islamohobia?
I am against any type of Ground Zero Victory Mosque. It is an insult to America and its people, Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. That is just my opinion.
^How is it an insult to all religions? Islam is Peace, We support Peace. So whats wrong with building peace?