The debate over the mosque at Ground Zero and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is of particular interest to me. I know Imam Rauf. Five years ago, he and I were participants in an interfaith dialogue event that took place in Rome. I spoke with him over the course of several days. I have read his book, What’s Right with Islam Is What’s Right with America. In fact, he signed my copy with the inscription: “To Ron Rychlak, may God bond us in deepest spiritual kinship.”
As a law professor, especially one who teaches Constitutional Law, I know that Rauf has the right to build his community center/mosque in any appropriately zoned area — so he legally can build it at the location in question. Of course, if it is located at Ground Zero, it will be inextricably tied to terrorism that was motivated by Islamic extremism. It may even seem like a triumphant crowning on behalf of the terrorists. That means it will always be a point of controversy and division.
Controversy surrounding the Cordoba House will limit its ability to serve as a legitimate place of peace and worship. There will always be protesters and others who want to undermine the objectives of a true religious/civic center. That should cause Rauf to carefully consider his options at this point.
Moreover, the rhetoric that is being thrown around on the internet and elsewhere will continue if the center is built. That kind of speech not only stirs up anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States, it also gives the terrorists motivation to carry out their attacks. As such, we all have incentive to set this issue aside. That can only happen if the project is stopped.
I do not think that Rauf has bad intentions; he struck me as a nice and thoughtful man when I met him in 2005 (though I am concerned about early accounts regarding the developer behind the project). The mosque that Rauf oversaw back then was only 12 blocks from Ground Zero. He’s not moving into an entirely foreign area and trying to claim victory with this new project. Still, he has to understand the feelings of others.
Boston Globe columnist James Carroll wrote a book about the Carmelite nuns who opened a convent near Auschwitz and erected a large cross, marking the site where so many innocent Jews — but also non-Jewish political prisoners, including Catholic priests — were murdered by the Nazis. In 1984, Pope John Paul II interceded and asked the nuns to move to a new location, but the controversial cross remained. Carroll, an excommunicated former priest, wrote movingly about the pain that the cross created for modern Jews.
John Paul was in no way devaluing the heartfelt mission of the nuns to pray for the souls of the dead when he asked them to move. He was teaching a lesson in respect: That was not the place for the nuns to be. Regardless of their intent or even their legal right, the location belonged to others. It had been purchased with their blood.
Most people now agree that moving the nuns was the right thing to do. Rauf should also do the right thing. Some have suggested that he could alleviate concern over the mosque by denouncing Islamic extremism. Alternatively, they say, he might hold an interfaith gathering designed to bring people together. To be honest, I don’t think efforts like this would do much to change the minds of people on either side of the debate (though his critics might quit trying to depict him as an Islamic extremist).
Rauf needs to remember something he wrote in his book What’s Right with Islam Is What’s Right with America: “Cain loved Abel, by killing him. That’s why I advise my congregation to probe one who tells you, ‘I love you like a brother.’ The prophets understood this very well, which is why the golden rule is to love others as we love ourselves.”
Americans are probing the decision to build the mosque. Arguably, it would be a statement of love. Those who worship there might be — as I believe the nuns at Auschwitz were — recognizing the loss to humanity and praying for God’s guidance. There is legitimate reason, however, for concern. One need not be Islamaphobic to probe this matter. We certainly do not want to have something built that will encourage Cain (or those like him) to repeat the crime of killing his brother.
Only Imam Rauf is in a position to resolve this difficult situation. New York Governor David Paterson proposed to help him find a different location for the center. The Catholic Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan, endorsed that plan. Rauf should take them up on the offer. Ground Zero, at least for now, belongs to others. They purchased it with their blood.
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Ask your good friend why it is called “Cordoba”, then study the history of the Church undr Mohammedan oppression in Spain.
Muslims died at Ground Zero too, remember. And many Muslims condemned the attack. This is just another one of those efforts to feel victimized.
I appreciate the comparison with the nuns at Auschwitz, but lower Manhattan is an entirely different geographical place. What would suffice to the protestors – 4 blocks away? 6 blocks away? 10? It’s a dense urban jungle, with mosques already nearby.
This entire thing would have received little attention if not for the election cycle. It’s political fodder. Sadly, it will fuel further Muslim prejudice in ignorant Americans, as we are seeing in other parts of the country. Americans have short memories about what happens when you do not hold high religious freedom.
So…are we going to allow polygamy? Why or why not? Are we going to allow special family courts where the Muslim husband can dump his Muslim wife with a simple “I divorce you” three times or whatever? I remember reading an article in Vogue magazine a few years back about an Egyptian woman (Muslim, not Coptic) who entered into an “urfi” (or something like that) marriage with a supposedly upright Egyptican man (again, not Coptic, but Muslim) and they ended up pregnant somewhat before intended. They considered an abortion and went to an religious leader about it, who suggested sacrificing a camel as appropriate “penitence” for the planned abortion (which was not carried out apparently…and I guess the couple “divorced”) So, are we going to allow animal sacrifice to atone for sins? Why or why not, if it is about religious freedom?
We have religious freedom in this country, but it isn’t total. You can’t simply do anything you want (unless of course abortion somehow manages to get involved in it, then anything goes it seems).
I am not so sure this is a religious freedome issue as much as a property rights issue. They own the lot, they can build what they want. But if they are truly looking to soothe over feelings, they would build elsewhere and not name it “Cordoba”.
Interesting that you mention the “golden rule”. To my best knowledge, Islam is utterly without such a rule, especially vis a vis women, Jews, homosexuals, and infidels in general.
. . . Even if we believe the intention of a GZ Mosque are only “respect, toleration and healing” (of which I am sceptical as a] there is no other mosque on the planet that represents that, while there are man built on sites to show Muslim conquest/superiority, and b] clearly there is no perception of healing with this, only distress and pain – if the intention were better relations, the obvious answer is to change the plan), any thinking person MUST consider how the jihaddis will view a GZ mosque. The builders may be moderate, but will it be viewed that way by others? Will it draw only moderate Muslims there to pray? Will not extremists across the globe give such a building a different interpretation and act accordingly?
The site is two blocks away from the main Ground Zero location…on the site of a building which was permanently damaged by the landing gear of one of the hijacked planes. It is thus an integral part of the destruction which was inflicted on NYC on 9/11 . If 9/11 hadn’t happened, the Imam and his organization could have bought the Burlington Coat Factory that was there and torn it down, and I doubt it would have made a blip on any radar screen except that of a local zoning board. But that site is now available because of an act of mass murder by maniacs claiming to act in the name of Islam, less than a decade ago. IMHO, that’s what’s disturbing people.
Donna states:
A day that will live in infamy…which was publicly cheered by Palestinians on the streets of Gaza, by the Qods forces and Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, and by Wahabbi clerics in Saudi Arabia.
I think “less than a decade ago” could just as reasonably have been “less than a century ago.” One doesn’t easily forget.
This is a question I also have. Israel is the chief thorn in the backsides of the Salafists, but Vienna and “the lost paradise of Al Andalus” also hold great significance. Once a territory is definitively moved out of the “Dar al Jihad” sphere and into “Dar al Islam,” the Islamic faith — moderate or not — says it is supposed to stay that way permanently. Why “Cordoba?”
Exactly! Professor Rychlak, I accept your statement that the man is a sincerely decent man — I don’t know how discerning a judge of personality you are, but let’s assume the Lord has granted you sufficient discernment to judge correctly in this matter — but even so, how ought this decent man respond to the (apparently unexpected) impact of his plan?
If the goal was a conveyance of mutual respect, it’s time to opt for plan B. That is, if he wishes to distance himself from the fanatics. What, after all, do you call a man who, having lost sight of his original goal, redoubles his efforts?
Quite. This is truly a mixed (-up?) message for a mixed crowd. One ought not offer one’s most evil co-religionists such a juicy opportunity for grave-dancing. Doesn’t this man see the potential symbolism? Doesn’t he know how the “winning horse” draws support in Middle Eastern psychology? Doesn’t he know that the worst type of Muslims will interpret this as a sign that the World Trade Center site has been moved, by the hand of God, out of the “Dar al Jihad” column and definitively into the “Dar al Islam” column?
Let us say your friend is a sincerely good man. Fine: But in order to so interpret his actions (I mean, really. “Cordoba?” Really?!), we must simultaneously include he is quite na
The Know-Nothing movement was more than bigoted against Catholics, they were violent enemies of the Church, trying to curb our right to practice our religion wherever we saw fit, a God-given and constitutionally affirmed right. That Catholics embark on the same vein of hysterical bigotry and try to justify it as sensible is appalling!
I can live in a country where a mosque moves from 1000yds to 500yds from Ground Zero, in other words, within the same square mile, even with a supposed grand-standing, than in a country where the mob rules and rights be damned.
And the golden rule (“do not do to others what you do not want done to you”) is a worldly rule. On the other hand, I’m bound by Christ’s rule (“do to your enemies what you want done to you”).
St. Charles Foucault, pray for us.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is a politician that is sucessful in his manerisims, we have been exposed to pictures of him as he prayerfully was reading his holy book. This article dismisses what has and still is happening over the past centuries over and over again. The West needs to take a course on east and mid east cultures and their philosophy of life. Western civilization needs to reflect also on its cultural actions.
Call me Islam-phobic if you like but the Mosque at ground zero should be built there if they so desire. Does it make a difference where they place a Mosque? Will it change their pattern of how they view and deal with other cultures that are not Islamic, that are not submissive to its teachings? You know the answer to that question so please go out and deceive all other nations. Is this what you are suppose to be doing?
You and American politicians and the public, would do well to talk to Melkite parishioners
Please, some of you are taking seriously a ‘religion’ which finds it necessary to tell its adherants how to wipe their rear ends? Among other personal functions?
This nonsense about intimate personal functions reflects the mud hut village mentality. Obama and his ‘great religion’ bs indeed!
The moderate mohammedans who openly renounce Hamas, Hezbollah, and violence in general can stay: THE OTHERS, GET OUT!
I do not believe that Rauf has any good intentions re: the GZ mosque. The reason being that Islam is a seditious movement wherever they go. Religion is just a facade for their determination to conquer the world. The basis of Islam consists of Sharia, Taqiyya and Jihad. Can there be ANY GOOD in these tenets? How could you possibly trust anyone that believes in these things. There should be no more mosques buil in this country!
When this Roman Catholic can walk into Mecaa or Medina and recive the Holy Eucharist in a Catholic church, or enter aJewsih Synagogue, then and ONLY then will I believe Islam is a relgion. This Iman is afraud and a charaltan. Islam always Bulds its’ mosques atop conquered enemies; from Crodba Spain to Isatnabul to the Temple on the Mount. Now The WTC atrocity; atestimony to Muslim sisnsitivity to our pain. NO MOSQUE at Ground Zero until there’s a Catholic Church in Mecca!
I never heard that Cain killed Abel because he loved him…I thought Cain killed Abel because he believed that God preferred Abel’s gift over that of Cain’s and Cain therefore killed Abel out of jealousy. As for building a Mosque near Ground Zero…it is a matter of the heart, of sensitivity to those killed on 9/ll and their families…if this Mosque is truly meant to be a bridge builder, then respect the hearts and sensitivities of the victims of 9/11. I am afraid that to continue with this is only going to turn people against Muslims and that is not right. Raheel Raza, a Canadian Muslim, spoke about this in a very clear and honest and compassionate way, urging her fellow Muslims to have compassion and respect for victims of 9/11 and build elsewhere…there are already many Mosques in New York…the Imam at first said this was to be an interfaith, multicultural project but then backed off that…why not make it truly an interfaith, multicultural building…with a small Mosque, a small Synagogue, a small Christian Church, and small Hindu and Buddhist Temples…I’m sure that would be accepted by everyone, or at least by the majority of people. Mayor Bloomberg has many of his successful business enterprises in Muslim countries…perhaps that is why he is speaking against those who are against the Mosque being built…at any rate, there needs to be more transparency about where the $100 million dollars is coming from and also about who the people are who are involved in this project…
Thank you for your thoughts on this very sensitive subject. I have one question of you, sir.
The Iman has said, in Arabic mostly, he embraces Sharia Law, and advocates it application here. As a Constitutional Law professor, can the two very divergent “laws” co-exist? Does the so-called judicial created “separation of church and state” mean a Muslim could stone his wife for infidelity in Chicago or in Times square?
Unlike with the nuns, if the site of the Mosque is moved, it won’t get the necessary wahabbist funding to complete it. Therefore there will be no desire to change.
I am Catholic and I am no way a dissenter of the teachings of our faith or against the Pope. I have been reading sources such as this publication, newadvent, and wikipedia to understand Islam.
I have been discussing the problems with Islam to my Muslim friend and yet, it is hard for me refute my friends answers. I don’t care about winning the arguments — I yearn and search for the Truth.
Could you please answer my questions [goes to anyone]:
1) My Muslim friend says Hamas is in Palestine not to antagonize but as a defense against Israel and to stop further settlement. Is that true of Hamas?
2) Furthermore, I said Islam needs reason and Hellenization tradition to come back since its mind was closed in the 7th century. But, I was refuted with the answer that “Islam is open to interpretation, and always has been since the 10th century and lots of scholars and Imams are against taking the koran literally.” Is that true?
3) When I said that Wahabi Islam is being spread by Saudi Arabia and what radical muslims practice for Jihad I was countered that “The terrorists/radicals are using Islam as a cover for political reasons and that September 11th happened because America had been violent in the Middle East especially stationing itself in Saudi Arabia with bases. Radicalization of Islam has been like that because of imperialism like the French and British taking over the Middle East back then and muslims needed to protect themselves.” Is that true?
There’s alot of burning questions that I have about Islam and I really find the “Cordoba” building a disservice to true interfaith dialogue, not to mention a dishonor for those that die.
… is what will be required if the Mosque/Cultural Center is built. Let us take the Imam’s word for it that (for benign reasons) this is the perfect site for it and that nothing at all bad is intended to happen there. Who is to say what will happen in a few years, with different people in charge? EVERY institution and organization changes its character and focus over time, although usually in ways that are not important to the greater community. A civic organization may become a social club with an annual service project, and so on. This building will require monitoring forever, to make sure that Wahabiists do not take it over and that it does not become (as so many Islamic charities have) a money laundering organization for terrorists. Especially considering its location, possible symbolic meaning for terrorists, and name that can be taken as provocative, it will have to be watched. There is nothing Islamaphobic about saying so — this is simply a fact.
There are dozens of mosques in NYC, the city is hardly anti-Muslim. The idea that people should not recognize a slap in the face when they get one is absurd. They have a right to build it, and if they do, those of us who are Christians have an obligation to turn the other cheek. But that doesn’t mean we pretend it didn’t happen, and it doesn’t mean we pretend that there is nothing to be worried about.
The Know-Nothing analogy is flawed. Catholics knew very well there was nothing for the Know Nothings to worry about, and to prove it they bent over backwards proving how loyal they were to America. They put American flags in churches! They were more patriotic than everyone else! It was over-the-top and perhaps, to some, insulting. But they did it because they knew they HAD to. I do not see Muslims doing this. I heard a Muslim speaker asked why she did not denounce terrorism say, “I’m an American, I can say or not say whatever I want to,” and she was correct. But correct or not, that’s the wrong attitude to take when you want to be accepted by people who are afraid of you.
As long as we have politicians and a president who are ashamed of our Judeo-Christian heritage, we will never reach the point where we say “If they won’t allow Churches and Synagogues in largely Muslim countries without fear of violence and retribution then we will not allow mosques in America.” That is exactly how this discussion should be going. We shouldn’t allow any mosques in this country until they start allowing Christians and Jews to worship freely in Muslim countries without fear.
I am personally all for a slow phasing out of all mosques in America until they get the message and start to reciprocate.
Is this unreasonable? I don’t think so.
Virtually every day Egyptian Coptic Christians are being kidnapped, sold into slavery, raped, tortured, and murdered simply because they are Christians. The Coptic Pope’s life is threatened regularly. Where’s the interfaith dialouge there? Throughout the Middle East Christian churches and Jewish synagogues are co-opted and victory moques are errected over them. Where’s the interfaith dialogue there? In Paris there are no go zones, here in America these no go zones are showing up in cities. Where is the interfaith dialogue there.
You are fooling yourself if you believe that Imam Rauf or any Muslim gives a damn about Christians or Jews anywhere in the world. What they want is world domination and that is not an issue that can be denied. Its taking place everywhere, including here in America.
There’s a mosque in the Pentagon, which was hit on 9/11, there’s a proposed victory marker in the shape of a crescent moon at Shanksville, Pa where flight 93 went down on 9/11 and there’s the ground zero mosque, where a piece of the landing gear from one of the planes flown into the WTC towers crashed into the building on 9/11. These are the 3 victory markers that show the Muslim world that they did in fact conquer America effective 9/11/01.
When Priests and Rabbis engage in this ‘interfaith dialogue’ all they are doing is extending their necks to those who would gladly slit their throats. WAKE UP, BEFORE ITS TOO LATE! YOU CAN NOT MAKE FRIENDS OUT OF ENEMIES WHO HAVE THE SINGLE MINDED GOAL OF ELIMINATING YOU AND YOUR RELIGION FROM THE PLANET!
Muslim Religion is not like the religion we are accustom to. We believe in God but they do not. They believe in killing someone to forgive their sins. To build the Mosque at ground zero will be a victory for them, the terrorist. If you were able to obtain the information on the Muslims taking over other countries they do it one day at a time. They build their mosque in a location that shows they will be the leaders one day and the statistics show they do accomplish their goals. Check out the Countries that are 100% Muslim and see how many different types of religion they represent. You will find just one religion. Theirs! This is why they have to build their Mosque at Ground Zero. No other location will do to accomplish their mission. They will lie and tell you anything you want to hear (sound familiar
I would rather speak the truth to muslims [or anyone] even if they fall to closed ears. I do not believe interfaith dialogue is hopeless because it shows that as Christians we are willing to testify in what we believe in with no room for relativism. To close any type of discussion is a defeat to one’s conscience and faith.
Jesus Christ preached to everyone and performed miracles, knowing that as he did so, the Pharisees were plotting his death. Yet Jesus continued.
Perhaps some of us are afraid of how Islam is changing our country and the world. But I know the Holy Spirit is with us and our Catholic Church preparing us for martyrdom that some of us are not ready for.
It’s been said over and over that nearly all Americans support freedom of religion. But the fact is the attacks of 9-11 were done by radical Muslims and America is a long way from healing. The TV videos of Muslims from many countries dancing in the streets after the 9-11 tragedy is still fresh in our minds. It’s too soon to do this. Being that the entire world is currently engaged in defending themselves against these same radical Muslims, building this mosque on the chosen site is a terrible move. It doesn’t matter if peaceful Muslims are building it. The mosque will be viewed as a sign of triumph by the radical element. There is no way around that. If Muslims want the respect and acceptance of more Americans, build it somewhere else.
I like many others feel that this is not the best place for this mosque. If this were to be a cultural center, where all faiths could have space for worship, it wouldn’t be as objectionable. Remember though that many innocent people of all countries died in the World Trade Center as well as the people who died on those planes there, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania.
As far as the Saudi Muslims protesting the US military presence in Saudi Arabia is concerned, the government there could have said “no”! Why didn’t they? One wonders! We were using Saudi Arabia as a “staging area, I believe.
“Cain loved Abel, by killing him.” What a statement. Then he goes on to add: “The prophets understood this very well, which is why the golden rule is to love others as we love ourselves.” Cain loved Abel, Cain killed him. Does that mean we want others to show us the same “Cain love” and kill us? Or does it also mean, kill others because we love them so much? What ever happened to love your enemies, turn the other cheek. I do not hear Jesus saying show the love of God by killing all those you love.
regardless of such things as right to build, perception of in your face action etc. One can rationalize to your hearts content but it doesn’t change the fact that it is in poor taste to build this mosque here at this time in NY. What stuck me is that, with a few exceptions, all those who claimed to represent muslim interests on different media host shows continually refused to address the appropriatness of placing the mosque there. They all wanted to talk about right to build and right to religious freedom, both of which are accepted as facts and are not the issue. This does not help to solidify a positive view of the muslim in America. Considering the large amount of muslim generated violence in the world, seems to me the burden is on the muslims here in America to persuade the citizens that they are true Americans not the other way around. The exceptions were a woman muslim leader in Canada on the O’REilly show and one young muslim man who debated another muslim but whose name and the show I don’t remember. They spoke with common sense and respect.
Ok, replying to my post “Seeking to understand,” I have come to see that my muslim friend uses the logical fallacy “Tu Quoque”(source: http://www.fallacyfiles.org/tuquoque.html)
Whether or not the U.S. was responsible for the retaliation from the muslim world in terms of jihad does not make their actions morally right or justified.
In Malaysia, Rauf’s book was published under the title, A Call to Prayer from the World Trade Center Rubble: Islamic Dawa in the Heart of post 9/11 America. ‘from the World Trade Center Rubble’ — obviously Rauf considers this a World Trade Center site. Dawa is defined in one dictionary — ‘In Islam, da’wa means a “call” or “invitation,” and has been used to refer to a person being “called” to follow Islam. However, it has developed into the idea of a “mission” or “propaganda,” either in a political or religious sense.’ Neither of these 2 facts lend themselves to the interpretation that Rauf’s proposal is an innocent outreach to America.
Not being a regular on this site. I must admit some suprise at the negativity in terms of the Mosque. I made similiar “anti” comments some months ago and all I got was a slap in the mouth.
It would appear I was right. Keep up the good work. Never trust a Muslim when he says he wants a bit of “interfaith” dialogue. In thier blinkered and evil world there is only one religion.
Don’t let what is happening in Europe happen in America.
God Bless.
I can’t even set foot in Medina and Mecca (where they celebrate brotherhood) but they can build a mosque at GZ. Sounds fair. The same words that were shouted before the jets impacted “Allah is Great” (The bang is big) whill be shouted as the inauguration ribbon is snipped.
Liberals who don’t believe in God, call it a God-given right. Conservatives who bately believe in God, also call it a God-given right, but Bad Taste… (like I guess chewing with your mouth open or serving a fill-bodied red wine with fish).
3000 slaughtered… a matter of taste.
There were two definitions of “heroes” at 9/11. The Mohammad Attas and Company who sacrificed their lives and the firemen who rushed back into the raging inferno to save people.
The American Enlightenment rewards the former… in the name of freedom.
I hope they build the mosque and then have some terrible Koranic quote like “Carnage is better than disbelief” flashing in neon arabesques fashioned out of stylized box cutters.
It would be freedom of religion and freedom of artistic expression. A veritable CELEBRATION of FREEDOM (which is always the most important thing). Hell, if crucifixes can find their way into jugs full of urine, what’s wrong with box cutters koranic quotes?
Rauf is too intelligent for that… but the question is, what if he weren’t? It’s all and ONLY a matter of taste right? If so, New York deserves to be treated to what it tolerates.