 |
|
|
|
|
September 8th, 2010
11:20 PM ET
5 surprises from Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s CNN interviewFive big surprises from Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s interview with CNN’s Soledad O’Brien on Wednesday night: 1. Rauf regrets locating the Islamic center near ground zero. “If I knew that this would happen, cause this kind of pain,” he said Wednesday night, “I wouldn’t have done it.” 2. Rauf says the reason he can’t move the Islamic center now is because of national security concerns, saying parts of the Muslim world would be violently inflamed at the news of the center’s relocation. “The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack… (there’s) the danger of the radicals in the Muslim world to our national security, to the national security of our troops,” he said. “If we do move,” Rauf continued, “it will strengthen the argument of the radicals to recruit, their ability to recruit, and their increasing aggression and violence against our country.” "If this is not handled correctly, this crisis could become much bigger than the Danish cartoon crisis, which resulted in attacks on Danish embassies in various parts of the Muslim world,” Rauf said later. “…. If we don't handle this crisis correctly it could become something which could really become very, very, very dangerous indeed.” It's a novel argument and was Rauf's central point tonight. Will most Americans buy it? 3. When news first broke about the proposed Islamic center near ground zero last December, there was no controversy around it. “It was a front-page article in New York Times," Rauf told CNN, “and no one objected. This controversy only began in May, and it began as a result of some politicians who decided to use this for certain political purposes.” I didn't know that. 4. The New York Islamic Center will include a memorial for those killed in the 9/11 attacks. The Islamic center had announced this earlier, but I doubt most Americans knew about it. 5. Despite the raging controversy, Rauf sees the current moment as a historic opportunity for Muslims to think about their place in the United States and for the country to think about religious freedom. There’s “a silver lining here,” he said. “It gives us an opportunity to speak about this subject in a manner that is sober, in a manner that is coherent. To look at what we are all about as Americans, to look at what it means to be Muslim in America. To look at how we are going to put back this genie of clash between the West and the Muslim world back into the bottle.”
« Previous entrySarah Palin: Quran burning insensitive and un-American
|
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
|
|
|
Of all the available land in the United States, 'Ground Zero' was, I assume, first choice? It's sort of like throwing salt on an open wound. So what if most Muslims are good people; still doesn't justify building a mosque where their evil Muslim counterparts decided to take action against America.
This Imam essentially threatened that if we do not build this at this place, then we may suffer from the hands of other Muslims, so why on earth should I support this project? Because of a threat?
The idea of uniformity is peachy, but not if we're strong-armed into the idea.
After watching those two bitterly angry 9-11 people (do you think your victim-status makes your bigotry acceptable?) I am convinced the media has given the 9-11 critics way too much attention, just like they have given the Quran burning semi-literate preacher way too much attention. Irresponsible. The media has only helped crank up the leel of the emotional rhetoric. Please stop stoking the fires of hatred. That's not what this country needs, especially not right now. Shame on Soledad. Shame on Anderson. And what was CNN thinking having Eliot Spitzer come out to help us work through an ethical decision? What disrespect to a gentle clergyman to have a whoring politician dissect and parse his remarks. What disrespect to the viewers. A new low for CNN. A put-up job.
NOT a fan of CNN or Soledad O'Brian but it is total BS that this debate is about anything other than respect. Islamic radicals attacked the U.S. on 9/11 the U.S. responded. At the end of the day the OVERWHELMING majority of Americans are uncomfortable with an Islamic Center or Mosque being too close to the site... that is it. Certain types of people, with specific goals murdered Americans on 9/11 and Americans feel the connection and see the obvious similarity that the attackers had many of the same beliefs as Rauf and his followers and came from the same places. We would not be having this debate in the Muslim world because the answer would have been no. If there was an ounce or respect or courtesy from the Mosque backers they would build elsewhere.
The only way this world will survive is if everyone shuts up about religion and god. Keep it to yourself. Whoever is so stupid to think you have to go to church and pray in front of everyone to be a good person. No one recognizes these egomaniacs, both sides, seeking revenge are almost entirely testosterone driven nutjobs. Passive Agressive sick male personalities with no intrespection. Women, the nuturers, are just used by these JERKS that believe they are protecting humanity! What a joke!
If Soledad's ambush was not enough, then Cooper brings on TWO bitterly angry 9-11 people. Get that hysterical woman off my TV. I see now these 9-11 critics are nothing more than professional victims who think their victim-status entitles them to be religious bigots. Enough of calling real estate two blocks from ground zero "hallowed (holy) ground." A house of worship is holy ground. If you are offended by the location of God's house, maybe you need to relocate. What was CNN thinking having Eliot Freaking Spitzer come out to help us work through an ethical decision? This whole show was a circus. I am totally disgusted.
Soledad you are an idiot. Couldn't you even get his name right? I am sure he appreciated your repeatedly calling him "Faisool" which means "Bean" in Arabic. Is it asking too much for you to prepare for an interview in a professional manner? Or was that just schoolyard taunting?
I'm neither Christian, Moslem or Jew and I have few questions for the Imam as under:
1. Does he feel that the kind of money he shall generate from the Muslim nations shall not come forth unless the mosque came up plonk near the ground zero? If yes, is it not that the Moslem world is trying to disprove the very genesis or atleast the impact of the attack on the world same way as the Holocaust, if no then why does this become more vital to them than building at any other place?
2. Shall the anger in the Muslim world for refusal to build at the same place by authority or the Imam from himself backing down be at the same footing? It can't be and thus does it not appear confrontationist on his part being hell-bent in his approach?
3.Does he not think that such action on his part brings the world closer to a clash of civilisations? Would he not be naive if he does not think so ?
Soledad is writing a book about what it means to be a Muslim in America. I guess that so=called interview was for the chapter called "Being Set-up and Ambushed by Hostile Media" Her only objective seemed to be to try to convince the imam to relocate. I say if the location of God's house offends you, YOU are the one who needs to relocate.
The Imam says, in #2 above – Quote:
2. Rauf says "the reason he can’t move the Islamic center now is because of national security concerns, saying parts of the Muslim world would be violently inflamed at the news of the center’s relocation".
“The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack… (there’s) the danger of the radicals in the Muslim world to our national security, to the national security of our troops,” he said.
“If we do move,” Rauf continued, “it will strengthen the argument of the radicals to recruit, their ability to recruit, and their increasing aggression and violence against our country.”
"If this is not handled correctly, this crisis could become much bigger than the Danish cartoon crisis, which resulted in attacks on Danish embassies in various parts of the Muslim world,” Rauf said later. “…. If we don't handle this crisis correctly it could become something which could really become very, very, very dangerous indeed.”
My thinking when I heard it on the program, and read it here is this:
Is the Imam giving us fair warning for an all out war? OR, Is the Imam simply trying to "hold-America-hostage" for fear of what Islam might decide to do to us?
I for one, am sick of being threatened by "fear of what Islam might do". Who the Hell do they think they are? These Muslims living and working in America, are enjoying more freedom than they have ever had in their lifetime, and the good fortune to be able to enjoy it. They are totally Unappreciative, and ungrateful to boot.
The United States is born out of a Christian Judeo ethic, and our laws come from that basis. You need to at least know that much when you come here. We as Americans, bend over backwards to accommodate and share our freedoms with all who come here. However, we aren’t going to change our Cultural Values to accommodate you. As a guest, it is your job to “fit into” our culture. You know – – “When in Rome”.
We are a good and decent people, but we don’t like to be taken advantage of. So my friend, don’t for one minute, confuse our being nice, for our being stupid! We are well aware of the difference.
Islam is first of all an ideology of conquest and plunder, hatred and death. And everyone who studies history know it.
Did any of you notice how the Imam could quote our Bible? They know What they consider to be "their ENEMY" very, very well, because they study whatevery culture they consider to be their enemy. We in American are a bunch of idiots if we don't wake-up to see how they operate against us – right in our faces.
How many of you Americans (journalists, media people, etc.) have ever actually read the Quoran yourselves? Do you have any idea that what they mean by Peace is when all the world is Islamic?
America – You had better wake-up. STOP GIVING AWAY THE STORE!
Imam did a horrible job in defending.
It would be national security issue ?! absolutely false.
Be a man of you word ask official and professional opinion on national security if they say not issue move it whatever number of blocks and calms down all these racists.
LET THIS IMAN HELP TO BUILD A PEACE MONUMENT FOR ALL FAITH CHRISTIANS,JEWS,HINDUS,BUDDIST AND ISLAM RATHER THAN MAKING MOSQUE WHICH DOES NOT PREACH UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD,FORGIVENESS AND PATRIOTISM TO A MOTHERLAND.THE BIBLE PREACHES TO LOVE YOUR NEIBHOUR AND PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMY.
HINDUSISM AND BUDDHISM PREACHES NONVOILENCE AND FORGIVENESS AND UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD.THE ISLAM PREACHES TO COVERT ALL TO ISLAM AND KILL THE INFEDELS WHO DONT ACCEPT IT.
Wow! what a narrow minded, one dimensional, stupid interview by SLOEDAD Obrian. After all thes years of journalism, I expected more from you. Horrible job Solldad! and i congratulate Imam Feisal for keeping a level head talking to this pin head.
I don't know what was more disturbing, the two bitterly angry 9-11 people (Get that hysterical woman off my TV) or Eliot Spitzer helping us work through an ethical decision. What in the hell was CNN thinking???? I had more sympathy for the 8-11 families before the show. Now I see they really are just bigots who think they have the right to insist where a religious community locates their house of worship. Roland Martin was right. Who do you think you are? If you are a 9-11 survivor does that make your anti-Muslim bigotry acceptable? I don't think so. Has it occurred to no one that a house of worship IS HALLOWED GROUND? Who are you to be offended by God's house? Leave this gentle imam alone, for God's sake.
THE MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO WILL BE DISASTER AND IT WILL BE THE FIRST STEP FOR IMPOSING SHARIA LAW IN US.
THIS SO CALLED MODERATE MUSLIM WILL BE PATRIOT TO DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY AND ONCE THEY ARE IN MAJORITY THEY WILL IMPOSE SHARIA LAW AND COVER THE LIBERTY STAUE IN VIEL.LET THIS SO COLLED MODERATE IMAN HELP TO BUILD A CHURCH IN SAUDI,PAKISTAN AND MALAYSIA.THE DAYS ARE VERY SOON LIKE EUROPE AMERICA AND CANADA WILL BE A ISLAMIC COUNTRY.
And so the Trojans at long last saw the departure of the Greeks who had left behind their gift and in their pride saw it as a sign of victory and deemed by the gods and so they took it into the city and later that night fell into a fateful sleep.
Since when does what people think abroad dictate what is going on American ground ? So if I understand well what the Imam said is "let us do it there or you will see some consequences" .. Kinda of close to what he said about the 9/11 attacks 9 years ago.
The Muslim world has no reason to be offended by that. They would not let a MacDonald open against the wall of the Mecca.
The Quran burning is totally stupid and unnecessary. but that is another story.
Do not allow the very freedom that built America to be the freedom to destroy America! Nip the virus at the bud. Do not bow to the threat of radical islam as a reason for them to build the mosque at ground zero.
If Soledad were to interview Billy graham or Mother Teresa would she use that accusatory tone? I hope that it’s just the way she speaks but if it were to change, the interview reflects not that of the balanced facts (even though the Mr. Rauf kept remarkably calm). It reflects the ignorance of the educated/well off acting like they are better. I have found that the more I learn the more I know I do not know, leaving me to be humble because we definitely do not know much at all. I must not forget the highlights. She did get answers though a respectful approach would be much more tasteful.
Next it makes me grieve that America can be so mislead. That the values that we say we have in public become turned off at a whiff of disagreement or more likely the misdirection of some leaders. Freedom, a word placed upon a pedestal by us can be hidden so some can not attain it. We fought for freedom from unfair taxes, for freedom of slaves, for freedom of women, for freedom of colored people, for freedom to own land, freedom for europe (twice), freedom for Korea, the freedom to learn, the freedom to speak your mind, the freedom to be happy, the freedom to worship and several other things. However, some people can have a select few of these freedoms while others get them all? Does this remind you of the beginning travesties of WWII?
When we fought against segregation what was the main premise? All men are created equal. The civil rights era passed and now all people are equal but some more equal than others. It should sound comical because we read this in the grade school book animal farm. What hurts more is seeing leaders of my religion misrepresenting it. Basically all religions are built on easy universal premises yet we try to focus on the differences and forget the basics. Two greatest commandments, Love God and Love Others. Have my fellow Christians forgot about it? It was stated clearly in the bible the GREATEST commandments, not the second to best or the ones you choose to follow when it is convenient but those you should focus you life upon. With time the others rules will follow but these are the foundations to a righteous life. Watching the news gives me the same feeling when a radical Christian goes on a soap box with a huge sign in the middle of the universities food court and preaches that “everyone is going to hell, you, you , you , everyone! so repent you s1ut$ etc. etc.” basically everyone. This approach accomplishes nothing and degrades the reputation of my religion which I hold dearest to my soul. We must be the salt and the light of the world. Just the right amount to be tasteful but not deadly and always always seeking the truth.
If Soledad were to interview Billy graham or Mother Teresa would she use that accusatory tone? I hope that it’s just the way she speaks but if it were to change, the interview reflects not that of the balanced facts (even though the Mr. Rauf kept remarkably calm). It reflects the ignorance of the educated/well off acting like they are better. I have found that the more I learn the more I know I do not know, leaving me to be humble because we definitely do not know much at all. I must not forget the highlights. She did get answers though a respectful approach would be much more tasteful.
Next it makes me grieve that America can be so mislead. That the values that we say we have in public become turned off at a whiff of disagreement or more likely the misdirection of some leaders. Freedom, a word placed upon a pedestal by us can be hidden so some can not attain it. We fought for freedom from unfair taxes, for freedom of slaves, for freedom of women, for freedom of colored people, for freedom to own land, freedom for europe (twice), freedom for Korea, the freedom to learn, the freedom to speak your mind, the freedom to be happy, the freedom to worship and several other things. However, some people can have a select few of these freedoms while others get them all? Does this remind you of the beginning travesties of WWII?
When we fought against segregation what was the main premise? All men are created equal. The civil rights era passed and now all people are equal but some more equal than others. It should sound comical because we read this in the grade school book animal farm. What hurts more is seeing leaders of my religion misrepresenting it. Basically all religions are built on easy universal premises yet we try to focus on the differences and forget the basics. Two greatest commandments, Love God and Love Others. Have my fellow Christians forgot about it? It was stated clearly in the bible the GREATEST commandments, not the second to best or the ones you choose to follow when it is convenient but those you should focus you life upon. With time the others rules will follow but these are the foundations to a righteous life. Watching the news gives me the same feeling when a radical Christian goes on a soap box with a huge sign in the middle of the universities food court and preaches that “everyone is going to hell, you, you , you , everyone! so repent you s1ut$ etc. etc.” basically everyone. This approach accomplishes nothing and degrades the reputation of my religion which I hold dearest to my soul. We must be the salt and the light of the world. Just the right amount to be tasteful but not deadly and always always seeking the truth..
Why is everyone complicating this? Everyone seems to have an agenda. It's really quite simple. It was an insensitive gesture. It has nothing to do with religion. If a gang shoots up a neighborhood, and then another more "moderate" member of the gang wanted to set up a homeless teen shelter in that same neighborhood, the reaction would be the same, distrust. We understand that not every Muslim is a terrorist, but you cannot deny that radical muslims have committed many atrocities. Which is not to say they are the only group guilty of doing great evil. Every large group of people is going to have it's wackos. There are still white supremicists in America. There are radical Christians, Mormons, and Catholics who behave in ways that sometimes make us very angry. We need to stop polarizing everything by making it an issue of religion, race, income, looks, and mental accuity. It's gotta come from both sides though. The Imam is also making it a religious issue. He needs to stop too. Just come out say "It was insensitive we apologize, is there a compromise we can agree on?" They obviously went through a lot of trouble to get a building permit and all that, so let's work with them. Perhaps we can give them another good piece of realestate. Or maybe instead of having it be just a Muslim center it could be a religious outreach center that any religion can have an office in. That's cooperation.
I have a feeling you do have logic and believe that it was a mistake but reading news and watching video clips it seems that people do not have the same thinking. When you have religious leaders screaming bloody murder, protesters burning sacred books and arson at mosque construction sites, evidence points to hate for a people, an entire religion because of a small percentage of extremists. People are in fear and if it is not extinguished rapidly it will turn to anger, then hate, then crimes and death. Reasoning towards peace between religion is the solution.
"Its a country of justice for all." The good iman speaks as well as any politician and knows how to spin. Heck, I'm dizzy with the thrill of justice for the 9/11 victims and their families who along with other americans must bear the brunt of the pain and mockery for ground zero injustice while intolerance and islamophobic claims are subtlely made while cowtowing by the 'moderator' iman and such puppets to islam ameriphobia from fundamentalist sects when they should be standing up to that garbage and act like peaceful americans to one another but that can't be when they allow themselves to serve the will of the fundamentalists. Oh, but its for our security he says one wonders how this country would have ever had its revolution of independence if we were all worried about what england thought about us. This guy double speaks. If he wants peace then don't serve islam and america. Serve your country iman and I think its america. Stand up to extremists and set an example. Take charge of your responsibility and quit twisting rights in ways that inflict less rights on others. We coexist as america. If you keep threatening nonmuslims with your actions then you can only be seen for the sum of your fruits and that's an islam muslim puppet spouting freedom while your strings are pulled by your radical master. I think that mosque will serve only to continued lack of peace and if you can't understand that then its because you choose not to understand america. All those comments by a lot of fringe people on the net that support the good iman I also believe are borne from disgruntle alienated types who don't understand that even when some in the government act unamerican that that's not what america is about and when they desert american to support antiamerican extremist beliefs then they deserve what they get as the dupes they choose to become. steve jaubert
"if you keep threatening nonmuslims with your actions then you can only be seen for the sum of your fruits and that's an islam muslim puppet spouting freedom while your strings are pulled by your radical master." When did Glen Beck change his name?