There are other mosques nearby. This is not a mosque, it is a community center, that contains a mosque. And here's the key, they are not adding a mosque, they are replacing an existing facility. There is already a facility there that functions as a mosque. They are not adding a mosque, they are adding a swimming pool.
Why is there fear and risk? Because certain public figures turned this into an issue. It's a non-issue, but politicaly minded people turned it into one. Go to ground zero, and walk to the location of this project. You will see more halal food carts that you will know what to do with. Islam is strongly represented there, like so many other cultures. It's new york. Will they back down? They are New Yorkers, ok, they are muslim new yorkers but they are new yorkers. Back down because they are afraid of offending someone?
If you move a community center out of the community, can you still call it a community center?
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Date: 2010-08-20 03:33 am (UTC)Why is there fear and risk? Because certain public figures turned this into an issue. It's a non-issue, but politicaly minded people turned it into one. Go to ground zero, and walk to the location of this project. You will see more halal food carts that you will know what to do with. Islam is strongly represented there, like so many other cultures. It's new york. Will they back down? They are New Yorkers, ok, they are muslim new yorkers but they are new yorkers. Back down because they are afraid of offending someone?
If you move a community center out of the community, can you still call it a community center?