Park51: An Introduction

On August 13, 2010, President Barack Obama went public with his choice to approve and defend the building of a mosque near ground zero in lower Manhattan. He chose to go public at the annual Islamic Ramadan dinner in the White House State Dining Room. The $100 million mosque is planned to be placed two blocks away from the impact zone of September 11, 2001, where 3000 people were killed when hijackers flew airplanes into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center. Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, showed opposition to Obama’s approval, in which Obama defended himself by saying the only way to honor the “hallowed ground” was to show American values and respect others who are different from us. Obama proceeded to bring up early construction of synagogues and Catholic churches that also causes uproar, saying that Americans have demonstrated working through these types of issues. Rep. Peter King of New York was quick to disagree, saying that it is fine to build a mosque, but not in the shadow’s of Ground Zero where many families are still suffering. In a recent poll, 70 percent of Americans disagree with the "Ground Zero Mosque," while just 29 percent agree. During this rising issue, Democrats have decided to steer clear from the debate. The "Muslim-themed" community center plans to have prayer space, a swimming pool, art studios, and a culinary school. Most victims of September 11 look at this proposal as a slap to the face, but in it all, there are some people that agree with the construction.

Since Obama has agreed with the building of a Muslim mosque two blocks away from ground zero, many people have verbally shown their opinion. Cleary, by the poll shown above, the 70 percent of Americans disagreeing with the mosque clearly shows just how America feels about the idea. To the families of victims of the September 11th attacks, this seems to be an insult. Many feel like we are supporting a place of worship for the same people who killed 3000 innocent Americans, while in the midst of it all, some families of victims are actually agreeing with the construction. Americans are forced to ask their self, "Can we deny a place of worship to a different religion?" As Americans living by the Constitution, we can't, but Americans are not going to drop it without a fight. Even though Muslims do have the right to practice their religion, Americans feel like it shouldn't be near a memorial, considering Al Qaeda is continuing to plot against the U.S. It should be taken into account that Obama does have a point, it is wrong to tell a religion they can’t build a religious building. It is unconstitutional, even though the location is not the best. This proves to be one of the biggest current events in politics, and will be sticking around for quite a while, whether or not the mosque gets built.

The question many want to know the answer to is, despite Obama's approval, should Sharif El-Gamal, organizer of Park51, relocate the building plans for the "Ground Zero Mosque?" The question is critical and very important. Obama has lost a lot of respect from many supportive Americans since announcing the agreement of the construction. This could determine whether or not Obama is re-elected in 2012, considering 70 percent of Americans that don’t agree with Obama. It also sparks Americans to have harsh feelings towards Muslims. The Muslims obviously wanted to send shock waves through America, or they would not have chosen a memorial that Muslims in Al Qaeda created. The majority of Americans will definitely think that the building of a mosque at ground zero is wrong, especially the patriotic. In every argument, there are two sides, meaning there will be some people that agree. Some will say that it is not right to tell someone they are not allowed to worship in a certain area, and the approval of the construction will show many that Americans learn to not hold grudges against past issues. I expect to find that most Republicans will strongly disagree, especially after supporting the war, but the Democrats will remain to be silent about the issue. I feel like this will be a lop sided argument, with the people disagreeing prevailing. Throughout my research, I have learned many Americans today go by what they hear in the news rather than researching the issue and forming their own opinion. If people did this today, I think the arguments would be very different. Research upon the issue has opened my eyes to a lot, and I feel many the research would do the same to many other Americans.