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 The site of the proposed Islamic center near ground zero in Lower Manhattan.
September 19th, 2011
10:28 AM ET
Islamic center near ground zero touts first big event as center’s grand openingBy Heather M. Higgins,CNN New York (CNN) - Earlier this month, signs of life returned to what was once a gaping pit, frozen in sadness and rife with emotion, as part of the memorial at the World Trade Center opened on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This week, another grand opening – this one steeped in controversy – is scheduled for just a few blocks away from the site where the Twin Towers once stood. The first part of Park51, the planned Lower Manhattan Islamic community center that sparked an international controversy last year, is set to open Wednesday with an art exhibit that features photographs of children. “It is a huge step forward,” said Katerina Lucas, Park51’s chief of staff. “I hope it shows we are about inclusion, not exclusion.” The photography exhibit, Park51’s first big public event, comprises portraits of children from 169 countries who now live in New York City. The opening coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. When plans to construct the high-rise Islamic institution were unveiled last year, a heated debate erupted over whether it was insensitive to build it so close to the site attacked by Islamic extremists. Though the interfaith center’s leaders said the project was rooted in a spirit of cooperation and coexistence, it provoked vocal opposition from some families of 9/11 victims, politicians and others. The driving force behind much of this opposition was Pamela Geller, editor and publisher of a blog called Atlas Shrugs. Geller organized a protest of Park51 on the tenth anniversary of Sept. 11 and says she is appalled at the organization’s decision to highlight the photographs of children. “It is an obvious and cynical attempt to manipulate public opinion and divert attention away from the Islamic supremacist ties, shady financial dealings, and contradictory statements of the mosque organizers,” Geller said in an e-mail. But Park 51’s photography exhibit is a reminder that the project is quietly moving forward, despite rumors that it had been put on hold. With $70,000 raised in under two months via KickStarter.com, a funding platform for creative projects, the remodeled space at 51 Park Place will serve as a temporary community center until groundbreaking for the rest of the building. The project’s developers, led by Park51 Chairman Sharif El-Gamal, have hired a staff of six and continue to hold Muslim prayers at the space, just north of ground zero. But they are not speculating about a timeline for construction. In June, El-Gamal parted ways with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the cleric who had been the public face of Park51, over a difference in vision. At a recent interfaith event honoring 9/11 families, Rauf said his vision to build an American-Muslim identity and enhance multi-faith dialogue hasn’t changed in 20 years. Even though Rauf isn’t associated with Park51 any longer, he continues to focus his energy on establishing a Muslim center in Chautauqua, New York, with the hope it can be replicated in the United States and around the world. Park51’s planners say they are committed to their original Lower Manhattan location. They are now seeking to raise $7 to $10 million in financing. “We have broken some ground, but there are still many hurdles,” Lucas said, pointing to fundraising as the biggest one. Lucas, who graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 2009, said the upcoming photography exhibition is about showcasing the diversity of New York City, which includes Muslims. “Islam is not about extremism,” she said. “We can have a meaningful dialogue across religions.” It’s a message shared by Danny Goldfield, the Brooklyn artist behind the exhibit. He got the idea for his children-focused series while driving from Los Angeles to New York in 2003, right after the war in Iraq started. “I met Danny Goldfield when Park51 was still a new idea. Danny told me about NYChildren and I said his photographs should be the first event at Park51," El-Gamal said in a statement. "I am proud to say the idea has been realized. Opening this incarnation of the community center is a fantastic accomplishment." Goldfield photographed children living in New York City’s five boroughs from countries as different as Japan and Zimbabwe and as far apart as Afghanistan and Argentina. While his pictures have been on display before, this is the first time he has shown them all at once. The exhibit will be open for approximately three months. Over 700 people have been invited to the opening and Lucas said that others are welcome, too. “I bring photos together on a wall the same way a space brings people together,” Goldfield said.
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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.  |
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@ Jon
Tough luck, buddy. Plenty of "Christians" also call themselves "Followers of Jesus Christ", so you're lumped in with them whether you like it or not. How does it feel to be personally responsible for The Crusades, the Salem witch trials, Timothy McVeigh's bombing, and countless acts of pedophilia, just to name a few?
Atheist
Don't forget the Pogroms, missionary-work-through-violence and numerous abortion clinic bombings... oh, and the beating and killing of gays.
u speak peace?
In cahouts against infidels?
Your comment makes no sense. No one is personally responsible for any acts of terror past or present unless they had an actual hand in it. According to your logic, every atheist would also be personally responsible for the acts of Stalin. You are furthering a hate agenda that is no different than attacks by those equate themselves to any religion.
Timothy McVeigh did not use the name of religion to commit his act of terrorism. You are so wrong to say he commited this act in the name of relgion, unlike terrrorists who actually quote koran.
Nympha I think the point was the parallel between folks supposedly representing a peaceful religion (Christianity or Islam, pick one) who are themselves responsible for horrific violence throughout history having the gall to go after another religion who does the same thing.
Sorry you missed that, it was so deep.
so u support Islam? are u sure you are an atheist or a troll in the guise of an atheist?
@ really
I support rational thought and intellectual honesty. Don't get my wrong, I think Muslims and their ridiculous prophet are just as absurd as other group's zombified saviors, or vengeful, hate-filled, loving gods. I just think it's strange that we apply so much bias towards one and not the others.
atheist
Muslims want nothing but war and terrorism, they can't leave in peace. Get them out of the U.S. and send them back to their stone age culture, societies, and countries. They will kill each other and the rest of the world will live in peace.
You'll have to remind me again what country attacked Iraq based on the absolute lack of a connection between Hussein and bin Laden?
What country was it again that has failed to find even a single hint of WMDs?
War mongering, huh? Really?
Grow up, moron. You're so dishonest its a joke.
YES!!!!! send them back...all of them. Durka Durka Mo Fo!
While you were snoozing they were 'Procreating' .The fastest growing population!
Sorry to disappoint you, but my husband and I are American citizens. Not going anywhere. Peace
Maybe the US invaded Iraq, but don't get it twisted, that country was not a peaceful place and then the big bad US moved in. There were killing each other in the name of religion for years. Using chemical warfare. So get YOUR facts straight.
Totally! Let's get rid of all the religious zealots!! Goodbye to anyone who believes in the tooth fairy or santa claus or god!! So sick of these morons competing with their imaginary deities! All they do is make it impossible for those of us who aren't dumb enough to believe in heaven, hell, etc. to get on with building a utopian, peaceful society.
Chemical weapons hadn't been used for a decade.
And still no modern evidence of WMDs and still no collection to bin Laden.
And plenty of places in the world far more violent than Iraq... so get off your fairy-tale pedestal about how Iraq was even remotely a humanitarian mission, especially since far more Iraqis have died in the last decade than did by Saddam's hand.
Sorry, moron, you lose. But nice try dodging the subject and misrepresenting things.
And since we're talking about facts, Kellee... since you seem to think you know ANYTHING about the region... Iraq was one of the most progressive Islamic countries in the region when it came to Women's Rights and Saddam was one of the more secular leaders in the region as well...
But let's not act like you ever actually bothered to learn anything about the countries we invaded, to morons like you they're just a faceless enemy to bomb into oblivion because they're not just like you.
Oh, and for the record, I served three tours... which is three more than you've ever served... and met hundreds of Iraqis personally... and voted for Bush twice before I found out exactly how deep the lies of his administration went.
Enjoy reality, you uneducated mooktard.
The Park51 center is on the site of a former BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY [discount retail store]. So much for sacred ground, eh? Yes, is in Lower Manhattan, and very close to the former WTC, but, it is not on the site we are calling Ground Zero.
Sure am glad to see all the "Love Thy Neighbor" evident here. Jesus would be so proud.
Jesus hung out with 12 men and threw dinner parties after crying to his daddy. He should keep his pride to himself!
Personally I don't believe in any of the invisible sky wizards who cause little more than hatred and oppression to be done in their name... but I find the hypocrisy of the average American Christian to be just about without equal.
This is the same group of people that shoot from behind women and children. Guess whose children they will be hiding behind when they are shooting at you. (Hint: not theirs!)
I dont beleive you, THAT CAN"T BE TRUE! NOOOOOOOOOO! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?!!!! HELP, I'M INCAPCITATED BY FEAR!
Good! You should be!
Justice will prevail and they will get what's coming to them. To the poster that said the site was safe because they wouldn't blow up themselves. Ummmm.....19 of them went on a suicide mission on those airplanes. What makes you think they are not afraid to die? Idiots. Apologists will be the end of this world. Yes, let's make them love us then we can all live in harmony. Bullcrap. Wait and see. They will show their true colors.
No Infidels
Hey, moron? Millions more don't.
19 did. In fact hundred have.
But millions haven't.
Grow up, you illogical, fear-mongering, hateful little monster. You're exactly like them, believing you're so superior.
so what do the people behind this building have coming to them then? What have they actually done?
they? wow, "they" really got to you ... keep overgeneralizing my friend; it might help you sleep at nights ...
So no more churches can be built in Oklahoma City, right?
u speak islamic?
You have my vote.
yeah stupid. all u radical muslim supporters can refer to is Oklahoma. do all of us here a favor and think about how many terrorist attacks have been thwarted or carried out in the name of islam vs. Christianity.
Build mosques in oklahoma city and see the glories of piece.
Exactly. Nicely put.
Timothy McVeigh was agnostic, spreading lies you?
Yup, it's holy ground alright. It's like a cemetary, you know, a battle field. People died here. Excuse me while I buy up those there commemorative t-shirts and buy those 9-11 souvenirs. Hey, there's a hoagie cart, I want to have one of them. (burp). Holy ground. A cemetary! I might just take in the peep-show around the corner too. It's America after all and business has to thrive. But it's holy ground alright.
dont forget about the bars right next to the holy ground.. gotta have some beer on tap at all times.
holy ground for what? mosque?
They should picket the funerals of Westboro Church members with signs that say, "God hates retards!" Actually, ANY church now qualifies... Look out for those violent Christian extremists- those freaks are EVERYwhere!!!
Why do you denegrate the mentally disabled? Name calling is reserved for those who aren't capable of supplying a reasonable arguement. I think your recess time is over, best go back to your middle school desk.
The Muslims are most likely laughing behind the backs of Americans! This is indeed one of those moments when they said "we will rise above the Americans; and this is "one" of those moments they are rising in the shadows of [the islam-inflicted] destruction of the trade centre. Everytime you look at the new construction coming up on the World Trade Centre and you see the Islamic centre a few blocks away – you will be reminded of the Islamic reign of terror, notwithstanding the morning call to prayer to remind you of who has had the final laugh. Why in the world would you let such a thing prosper? You have been had my friends, you have been had – unfortunately. Very Sad.
10th Anniversary celebrations ofcourse.
You do realize these are Americans, right? Hate to break it to you, but Islam has been part of the American fabric since the founding and were one of the use cases discussed during the drafting of the Bill of Rights. In fact, Islam was considered less of a threat (and more respected) then Catholicism and Judaism at the time.
Muslims are Americans. I am an American Muslim, was born and raised here. We have every right to be here. Not one person in that Islamic center had anything to do with the devastation at the World Trade Center. There is no "Islamic Reign of Terror." It is a crazy person reign of terror. Terror from crazy people come from all faiths. What is sad is there are bigoted people the live in the United States. You cant claim to be an American if you dont believe in the principles this country was founded on.
Peace
The Russians are coming the Russians are coming. They said they would bury us ! Alarm ! Alarm ! Opps ! Never mind.
@ MeriJo: The problem is that 95% of those crazies are Muslim
I do not see why Muslims are offended when the non-Muslims speak out against this Mosque. The Muslims appear to be saying respect our rights and our right to build where we want. They also appear to be saying anyone against us is a bigot. They miss the basic principle here in the US. Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speach go hand in hand. They are welcome to build wherever they want. I am welcome to have any opinion about them, their building and the events of 9/11.
Moreover if Hindus, Buddhists, Seihks, Christians or any other group were attempting to build at that spot NO ONE would be speaking out about it. Muslims deny what has occured each time they scream bigot or Islamophobe over this building. The terrorists were reciting the Koran as they flew into the buildings. Out of basic respect for the dead and New Yorkers they could re-locate a little further from groud zero. I am not saying do not build your center. I am saying live up to the values you claim to hold dear. With each step forward Muslims prove that they could care less what others think and will build regardless of the feelings of the people around them.
No love no Infidel!
You clearly have never been in New York, or you'd realize just how far two blocks in Manhattan is. Or perhaps the strip clubs and gay cruising bars within ONE block of the WTC site are more respectful than a PRAYER ROOM IN A MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTER
Wait, so what your saying is the Muslims miss the part about freedom and religion going hand in hand, YET, they dont have the right to build where they want? Your confusing me. The level of hypocrisy is laughable and sad
@elid
The building behind it was hit by debris… it is NOT that far away. Those strip clubs and gay cruising bars as you call them have no connection to 9/11, were as a mosque clearly does. Try again.
P.S.
Your depiction of the ‘gay cursing bars’ say a lot about your own bigotry
VMProphet – I did not say they cannot build there. I said Out of respect for the dead they should not.
@ellid: Yes strip clubs and gay bars within one block of WTC is more respectful. I can pretty much guarantee you that the 19 hijackers were against the clubs and bars and were for mosks
Hopefully, the following note will be posted outside the center's door:
What instigated the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon? And what drives today's 24/7 mosque/imam-planned acts of terror and horror? The koran, Mohammed's book of death for all infidels and Muslim domination of the world by any means. Muslims must clean up this book removing said passages admitting that they are based on the Gabriel myth and therefore obviously the hallucinations and/or lies of Mohammed. Then we can talk about the safety and location of mosques and what is taught therein.
Until then, no male Muslim can be trusted anytime or anywhere..................................
Yeah, like the bible is any better. Go take your religious hatred somewhere else.
Yes there will be weekly cleaning in the mosque.
but, 'no love no infidel'
Better to have a sign reading, "This cultural center opened in spite of the shameful and ignorant bigotry of people who needed a target for their hatred."
Reality: you are a tool.
Recognizing the flaws, follies and frauds in the foundations of Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the "bowers", kneelers" and "pew peasants" are converging these religions into some simple rules of life. No koran, bible, clerics, nuns, monks, imams, evangelicals, ayatollahs, rabbis, professors of religion or priests needed or desired.
Ditto for houses of "worthless worship" aka mosques, churches, basilicas, cathedrals, temples, cultural centers and synagogues.
Had the fear-riddled hate mongers not made a big fuss about this nothing, it would have been just another boring place that's not worth even knowing about. However, fear is power, so it is no surprise that the usual crazies have been making a mountain out of this insignificant molehill.
And there sure are a lot of people out there who are easily duped into getting oturaged about this trifle. Virtually none of the enraged are personally affected by this and would not even know about it had they not been manipulated. They are pawns in someone else's game.
I stopped wearing sneakers because some white guy had exploding sneakers.......What do you mean by fear is power?
The problem and it cant be overcome .. is muslim religion is filled with hate and killing despite what its followers try to scream. They pride themselves on building edifices at places where they have so called "conquered" an enemy. ala cordoba. It is written that they shall build these monuments to thier victories and to think that this is anything else is naive and will come back to haunt when they have a breeding ground for terrorism just hundreds of feet from ground zero.. its disgusting and a slap in the face to all americans..
Raymond Ibrahim, a former associate director of the Middle East Forum, said the project and name were not "a gesture of peace and interfaith dialogue" but were "allusive of Islamic conquest and consolidation" and that Americans should realize that mosques are not "Muslim counterparts to Christian churches" but rather, "are symbols of domination and centers of radicalization." The opposition to Park51 believes that Islam builds mosques on "conquered territory" as symbols of "victory" and "conquest."[48]
yay jesus, he hats arabs too!....wait....where was he from again?
At least you know the area around Ground Zero will be safe now, surely they won't try to blow something up near one of their own mosques.
Anyone else up for opening a bbq and pig roast lunch truck and parking it right outside their building? Hey, it is a free country isn't it?
Also I love how they realized the name Cordoba House was too terrorist sounding and gave into public demand and changed it to park 51.
Invite epic meal time bacon bacon and more bacon save me a plate
Open up a strip club and and pork barbeque next to it. Or a Victorias Secret, they love women you know...
They will build it, but will they come? That's the major problem with mosques everywhere. Oil money spent on exaggerated buildings that are suppose to hold 1000's and not even 100 people show up.
Just like a Catholic Church but without the s. e. x. with a boy.
They decided to purchase that building because it was already being used by over 400 muslims as an overflow place of worship.
What on earth do people have against peace? I hardly recognize my own country anymore. How sad and pathetic.
u speak piece? we want to see Peace in words show in your action.
Yeah, shoot somebody and blow some sh-it up like the rest of us!
What are you trying to say?? That islam is all about peace?? I hope not because that would be totally incorrect, islam is the most violent and intolerant religion there is today. muhammed was a warrior and spread his religion thru conquest, islam means submission and has nothing to do with peace. Research and you will find the truth.
'spread his religion thru conquest'
and how did christianity spread? are you trying to say through peace and love? I hope not because that would be totally incorrect.
yeah, because the Crusades were not perpitrated by Christians! Jesus is love! YAY JESUS!
Christians are just mad because they dont get to read the 3rd book in the trillogy.
Pointing fingers at someone else as a defense is a five year olds tactic, however true the statement might be. I’m an Atheist and even I can see you need a better argument than blaming Christians.
Impeach Omaba!
Bring him to court on charges? Charges of what?
Troll!
I agree. Get rid of Omaba. She's the absolute worst food critic.
Word
Omaba Steaks?
Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaba??
Move into the Countryyyyy gonna eat me a lot of Peaachhhesssss
What a disgrace that we allow this to happen. I will not cry if a home grown terrorist decides a lil payback is in order.
That's the spirit, bud! Meet terrorism (or rather, a well-intentioned effort connected to terrorism only by the most tenuous means) with terrorism! Why, I can hardly see that spiraling out of control at all.
The terrorists used that same sort of reasoning to 'justify' attacks
Here's a fun idea: at the end of every post, lets put our religious leanings (or the closest word you have to summarize your religious views). That way, if you post a hateful statement that groups all Muslims together with a few deranged terrorists, we can look up all the atrocities, crimes, and indiscretions committed by a member of YOUR particular sect and blame YOU for them.
Atheist
Sorry about the re-post, by the way. The last one got sort of hijacked by redhead-worship (?), and I wanted to give it another shot.
Amazing Steve....absolutely correct. The most intelligent poster on here...
A.
That sounds amazing Steve
– Agnostic
Thanks Steve. I am glad someone has a head on thier shoulders on this issue.
It is sad to see the blind hate by people classified as my countrymen and women.
No religion has a clean historical record.
athiest
Terrific idea.
Unitarian Universalist
@AmazingSteve
I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Please note that I did not say "Christian", as in this can mean many things in this day and age. I choose not to label myself. Jesus was a pacifist and preached love, understanding, and peace. Anyone who commits violence in His name brings disgrace to him/herself since violence is contrary to everything that Jesus stood for.
Islam, however, is rooted in the teachings of Muhammad the Profit, who orders "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war." Qur'an:9:5. This is hardly the "turn the other cheek" teachings of Jesus. I suppose what I am trying to say is Christianity itself teaches peace and pacifism. The kings and rulers of old may have committed atrocities on in the name of Christ, even though their actions went against his teachings. On the other hand, Islam TEACHES violence against non-believers. So the extremists are not taking their Qur'an out of context; they are simply following instructions of their written word.
@ Jon
Tough luck, buddy. Plenty of "Christians" also call themselves "Followers of Jesus Christ", so you're lumped in with them whether you like it or not. How does it feel to be personally responsible for The Crusades, the Salem witch trials, Timothy McVeigh's bombing, and countless acts of pedophilia, just to name a few?
Atheist