Stuff that pops into my head. Innit.

Monday 16 August 2010

9/11 and Mosques

So I gather from the news that there are plans afoot to build a mosque a couple of blocks from the site of the WTC.
There were some predictably overzealous but understandable reactions from people interviewed around the area, but I see it in a different way. I know that the way I see it -through the TV/online/print media, and as a foreigner with no tangible connection to the USA- means fuck all in the grand (or indeed any)scheme of things, but I'm going to tell you anyway.

If an Islamic cultural centre is built nerby the ground zero site, it would be a powerful message that America recognises that  fanatical radical Islamic extremists do not define Islam and that America isn't at war with the Muslim world in spite of the actions of a few.

It's too good an opportunity to pass up, isn't it?

A Mosque yesterday, being utterly beautiful.

9 comments:

Mrs Midnite said...

Yeah I agree. Muslims died on 9/11, they were as much victims of the terrorists as anyone else. Building the mosque would show that America understands who was to blame.

#1Nana said...

Being an American but not a resident of New York, my opinion isn't worth much either. I don't have a problem with building a mosque on private property. They have as much right to build a mosque as the people who built strip clubs within a few blocks of the site did. Why would a McDonald's be less disrespectful than a mosque? BTW there is already an active mosque in the neighborhood. Most Americans who I know recognize this argument as politically motivated. We know that most muslims are not terrorists. 911 was a terrible event, but it does not define us or our relationships with the muslim world.

fizzee rascal said...

To most of the outside world who don't know better 9/11 does exactly that, I'm sad to say.

Anonymous said...

Um....this is a hard one for me.

It is not a political thing at all, so don't label me a Republican by feeling this way.

I understand it is their right to biuld a Mosque, but it would be an insensitive thing to do. I don't want a McDonald's there either. I don't know why we can't just wall that place off and leave it be. Maybe they sould build a vast museum there to honor all the fallen people rather than put somehting religious there. I wouldn't want a Baptist Church there either.

How bout we just put NOTHING there and make everyone happy? I mean, I guess the muslims wouldn't be happy, but there are hundreds of square miles of city they can put a Mosque in, why does it have to be right there?

Am I off the mark here? Don't hate me.

fizzee rascal said...

No, you're not off the mark, all opinions are welcome.

Hanis. said...

Can I like hug Amber?

Her comment is so ..spot-on. Do nothing there and yes, in my opinion, do put the mosque somewhere else. I mentioned about that in my own post I think.

Some people looks too deep into the plan to build a mosque there and honestly, reading the comments of an article on yahoo makes me wanna smack my head on table, hard. Multiple times.

I like your idea of what message it can brings but perhaps, they should start from basic. I mean, the mosque could be a really big step and hence the reason why there's so many urgh reactions. I think most people should just learn to read and not let themself be influenced easily. Learn about others. True?

fizzee rascal said...

True. And I agree with your point of view to an extent, and I fully understand your feelings on the matter. Thanks for stopping by.

Delphine said...

Let me start by saying I completely understand both points of view on the matter.

I think, however, that it shouldn't be as nearly of a big issue as it is. I doubt it would have made headlines if it was a Christian church. But we need to be flexible and understanding with this situation, regardless of the outcome.

It's not as though they're building the mosque on ground zero, and you know the city isn't going to do "nothing" with the land available. It's a thriving city and it's going to keep moving onwards; it's up to the people to remember the events that occurred on 9/11, not leaving empty lots. Any bonus positive messages we can send out (like you mentioned, Fizzee, about America not being at war with Islam) should also be welcomed.

My only concern is the people who might be radical if it is built: Will the mosque be a safe place as it's supposed to be?

fizzee rascal said...

"Will the mosque be a safe place as it's supposed to be?"

That's a good point and I don't know the answer, bu I would hope so. There's only one way to find out for sure.