Mosque at Ground Zero

[PhoenixFire]

Erm, wtf is with this?

BBC News - Controversy over Ground Zero mosque plans

[sledger]

Not bothered myself.

[silentstriker]

Yea, don't have a problem either.

[PhoenixFire]

Don't particularly have a problem with it, but it seems like an awfully risky and potentially inflammatory thing to do. Not the thing I'd expect in America as well, more the sort of British thing that would happen.

[Uppercut]

There is something symbolic about an iconic building blown up by Islamic terrorists being replaced by a mosque. Not far from "Everybody Draw Mohammad Day", it can be interpreted as an expression of freedom at best. At worst it's just trying to wind people up.

Don't care personally, but I hope nothing much comes of it. Great ammunition for the far right.

[pasag]

There is something symbolic about an iconic building blown up by Islamic terrorists being replaced by a mosque. Not far from "Everybody Draw Mohammad Day", it can be interpreted as an expression of freedom at best. At worst it's just trying to wind people up.

Don't care personally, but I hope nothing much comes of it. Great ammunition for the far right.

It's two blocks away itbt.

[cover drive man]

Hmm, interesting. I would say (although I really haven't done much reading but I know a man who has) That extremist islam groups twist and change the quran and shouldn't be seen as true muslims. But I'm not really sure what to think on this. But I will say Islam isn't the hate preaching opressive religion its made out to be, I know a few muslims and they are good people (Well as close to good as the rest of people are)

[Uppercut]

It's two blocks away itbt.

Fair. Mountain out of a molehill then.

[Goughy]

I get the idea behind it and the cultural center but also I understand those that think it is insensitive. I am probably one of them. 9/11 was a specific event that changed the word and the people of New York. I understand that people want to bring 'cultures together' but frankly there are other ways that dont hijack the grieving process and dont look as clumsy and unthinking.

It is a decent idea that has not been thought through and doesnt take into account the reality, emotions and rawness of the event itself. Whatever the good intention, it exhibits a spectacular lack of awareness and tact. IMO, whatever the message, not the right time or place.

[Burgey]

Fair. Mountain out of a molehill then.

This.

Personally doesn't worry me if they built one at the site, though I could understand if some people found it the equivalent of putting a sushi bar at Kokoda.

[sledger]

Hmm, interesting. I would say (although I really haven't done much reading but I know a man who has) That extremist islam groups twist and change the quran and shouldn't be seen as true muslims. But I'm not really sure what to think on this. But I will say Islam isn't the hate preaching opressive religion its made out to be, I know a few muslims and they are good people (Well as close to good as the rest of people are)

Gee really? Muslims are people too? So that's where we've all been going wrong.

[silentstriker]

Gee really? Muslims are people too? So that's where we've all been going wrong.

Have my doubts about np10 tbh...

[sledger]

Have my doubts about np10 tbh...

Everyone has doubts about him tbh. A very dubious character tstl.

[NZTailender]

I get the idea behind it and the cultural center but also I understand those that think it is insensitive. I am probably one of them. 9/11 was a specific event that changed the word and the people of New York. I understand that people want to bring 'cultures together' but frankly there are other ways that dont hijack the grieving process and dont look as clumsy and unthinking.

It is a decent idea that has not been thought through and doesnt take into account the reality, emotions and rawness of the event itself. Whatever the good intention, it exhibits a spectacular lack of awareness and tact. IMO, whatever the message, not the right time or place.

This is going to be the church of Al-Qaeda then? Let's just tar all Muslims with the same brush.

I can understand where you're coming from, and why someone could see it as insensitive, but should all Muslims be outcast because of the actions of one group? It's not like they're building a statue of Osama Bin Laden.

[Goughy]

This is going to be the church of Al-Qaeda then? Let's just tar all Muslims with the same brush.

I can understand where you're coming from, and why someone could see it as insensitive, but should all Muslims be outcast because of the actions of one group? It's not like they're building a statue of Osama Bin Laden.

Oh come on! What has being outcast got to do with anything? Its got nothing to do with that and I didnt say that.

This is not just a mosque but a 15 story cultural center with a location that has been specifically chosen to advance particular interests. This is not a subtle and small building. It is a huge, in-your-face attention seeking edifice that has been criticised by people of all faiths. The location isnt a coincidence and whatever the motives and the people that use the building it is a misguided and insensitive endeavour that seems to be trying to use ground zero for their own agenda.

It is crass, it is insensitive and it is spectacularly naive especially as it is being built by a moderate Imam whose comments after 9/11 included "I wouldn't say that the United States deserved what happened, but the United States policies were an accessory to the crime that happened."

This has nothing to do with religion or Islam. It is to do with what occured and what is respectful and appropriate. You could take the protagonists out and substitute any others in as part of a thought exercise and it would still seem wrong.