Media

Farrakhan: Build the Mosque

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan said Thursday an Islamic community center and mosque planned near ground zero should be built because Muslims were among those of many faiths who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“Why then should a mosque, a cultural center, not be constructed a few blocks away?” Farrakhan asked at a news conference in Washington, where he was joined by a coalition of African-American Muslims.

Farrakhan and other Muslim leaders said the controversy over the building points to a rise in racism toward minorities and an anti-Islamic atmosphere.

The proposed $100 million project has been denounced by many critics as insensitive to the families of people killed at the World Trade Center. They say it is disrespectful to build an Islamic institution so close to the spot where nearly 2,800 people died at the hands of Muslim extremists.

“When that building was destroyed, the whole world felt it,” Farrakhan said, adding that many Muslims had offered their condolences to the country in the wake of the attacks. He said the area is also hallowed ground to blacks who are Muslims.

“Muslims are here. We are not terrorists,” Farrakhan said. “We will not allow anyone on our watch to do some silly act to deprive an innocent human being of their life. And if we see it, we’ll stop it.”

Early plans for the Islamic center in lower Manhattan call for a swimming pool, a Sept. 11 memorial open to the public and a prayer space.

Farrakhan also commented on the rumors that President Barack Obama is a Muslim.

Obama is a Christian.

“Respect his choice,” Farrakhan said. “He chose to be a Christian, but he has deep respect for Islam. Take him as he is.”

Obama has said Muslims have the right to practice their religion and build the Islamic center in lower Manhattan. He later said he wasn’t commenting on the wisdom of building it there.

In a poll released last month by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, 18 percent of people said they believe Obama is Muslim. That was up from 11 percent who said so in March 2009.

Comments (76)

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  • Daragon29
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:54pm

    Farrakhan is a racist anyways. just look at all his speeches in the past you can youtube them.

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  • debak
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:41pm

    Since Mr. Farrakhan is for it that should be a sure sign that all is not what it is made out to be with this Mosque. I trust my instincts on this totally. No Mosque at Ground Zero, the intentions are not honorable.

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  • cueball
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:37pm

    Seems the only ones who cry racism are those who profit from it personally or monetarily.

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  • WISEPENNY
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:34pm

    From a Christian perspective, I must practice what I preach, never forgetting that I must give account to God for my hateful rhetoric. That said first, we are talking about a cultural and worship center, not a military complex. Although our theology differs, it’s not really grounds for denying due process of civil law, despite our bad memories caused by some wicked behavior. That is what makes this a great country to live in, especially when the same civil laws rule in our favor when we‘re needing protection from our right’s being infringed upon. I refuse to call Louis Farrakan any hateful names, but will point to the fact that the fruit
    he bears tells a story in it’s self. No?

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    • Reaganista
      Posted on September 3, 2010 at 12:55am

      A vast majority of NYers and Americans do not oppose the legal right to build it, only the location. Hallowed ground is not an appropriate site for a mosque since 3,000 people were killed in the name of Islam.

      Report Post » Reaganista  
    • eagle
      Posted on September 3, 2010 at 9:48am

      Watch, the Trojan Horse is being wheeled into the heart of America.

      Report Post » eagle  
  • LovinLiberty
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:19pm

    Mr. Farrakhan – sit down and zip it! Your influence is so irrelevant!

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  • LovinLiberty
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:18pm

    To Farrakan – sit down and shut up – your influence is irrelevant!

    Report Post »  
  • rcole02
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:15pm

    Why does anybody listen to this guy or give him a platform? He’s a racist!

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  • TOSG
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:04pm

    What a great guy, I hope more people understand his wisdom.

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  • ImForUsa
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:00pm

    It’s folks like Farrakhan that foster racism…… But then that’s part of the plan. A house divided can not stand….. Against the true powers that control this nation and the world.

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    • TOSG
      Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:17pm

      Don’t start. Please for the love of god…

      Report Post »  
  • d1carter
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:00pm

    That’s funny, a neighbor of BHO is in favor of the Ground Zero Mosque…wonder what Bill Ayers thinks about it. Farrakhan and Bloomie on the same side of the issue…

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  • stevejar
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:56pm

    Farrakhan supports the mosque. What a shocker! Wasted news space.

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  • Buckaroo
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:46pm

    anyone think that weasel ruff might just be thinking — “hey, louie? you really could have just kept yer mouth shut!”
    :-)

    Report Post »  
  • CONSERVATIVEFIRST
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:43pm

    Farrakan is a joke to the world. Blacks I know see him as an opportunistic wanna be on tv. If MLK were alive today, he would slap him into another time zone.

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  • S.Hill
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:29pm

    Anyone that still believes the NY Mosque is a ‘monument’ to the victims of 9/11 is a fool who isn’t doing any thinking at all. If they truly wanted to build this thing as a sign of respect, don’t you think the fact that a vast majority of Americans DO NOT want it there MIGHT get them to change their mind about building it? If they really wanted to show respect, how about raising money for the families of 9/11 victims, or speaking out loudly against Islamic jihad and Sharia law?

    Report Post »  
  • Alex
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:22pm

    Farrakan is just one of many that they are trying to spoonfeed us as mainstream and who’s opinion is actually worthy of consideration. Uh … no.

    Report Post »  
  • RoseAnnaDanna
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:18pm

    This is not about Islam. It is about Sharia Law that dictates their lifestyle which includes their religion. AIG has already caved to Sharia Finance. Muslim’s believe in charity–only to other Muslims. This is not an issue regarding religion. It is a fight about our Constitution and laws vs Sharia Law.

    Report Post » RoseAnnaDanna  
    • TOSG
      Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:19pm

      Sharia Law has nothing to do with Islam, that is apart of tradition not the overall religion.

      Report Post »  
  • truebearing
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:14pm

    Well, if the racist, Muslim demagogue Louis Farrakhan endorses it, I guess we have to allow it. I wonder if he will be at the big union/NAACP Race Fest later this fall. Maybe he can inspire the crowd with some of his racist anti-Jewish remarks, or throw in some “white devils” to add to the spirit of hope they are bragging will be properly represented.

    Isn’t it strange that Farrakhan, the leader of The Nation of Islam, once described Obama, an alleged Christian, as “the hope of the world” and “the messiah”? If Obama is a Christian, he has to have rejected Islam, which makes him an apostate, which is the worst sin in Islam and punishable by death. Despite all of that, Farrakhan publicly referred to him in a way that one would think was reserved for the 12th Imam, the Al Mahdi.

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    • ludie
      Posted on September 2, 2010 at 10:51pm

      I wonder why Obama doesn’t just say the words himself…. I AM Catholic. Why must he have other people speak those words for him? Maybe he should just say with his own mouth”Jesus is the Lord!” I wonder if we will ever hear those words from him?

      Report Post »  
  • BECKELICIOUS
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:14pm

    Think Farrah-CON would go for a Matzo-Bacon Stand outside the Mosque ?

    Report Post »  
  • stingerhp
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:12pm

    THE BIGGEST RACIST in America is this clown..If you put ANY credence in ANYTHING this blob has to say, you are doomed………..

    Report Post »  
  • ju87stuka
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:08pm

    Calypso Louie, Mayor Bloomberg, Olbermann…what a gaggle of dysfunction.

    Report Post »  
  • Travleh
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:07pm

    Hmm. I’m surprised minister Farrakhan would want to do something that may be controversial. Wow. I could have been knocked down with a feather.

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  • Ellie
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:06pm

    I perfectly fine with the “cultural center” being build where it is proposed but I am not comfortable with the Imam slated to run it. Not only does he appear to have ties to terrorist organizations but both he and his wife have said more bad then good things about America. On top of all of that he also appears to be a slum lord.

    So investigate the slum lord claims and prosecute him if there is any truth to the matter, after a few years in jail he can try to restart the cultural center then.

    In the mean time NYC should green light the rebuilding of the Catholic church that was destroyed by the falling towers at the very instant that this cultural center gets the go ahead. Fair is fair.

    Report Post » Ellie  
  • Gabby in Florida
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:06pm

    OH yes many offered condolensces but many offered burning our flag and rallying in the streets with pleasure? Sad day in America when this type of conversation makes you caring about 3000 deaths in two of our buildings folks just showing up for work one day and in the name of KORAN airplanes fly into buildings in the name of Allah? WHAT religion is that associated with? NOT christian?

    Report Post » Gabby in Florida  
    • Large Eagle
      Posted on September 3, 2010 at 12:08am

      Gabby
      I would like your take on this.

      When the Muslims showed up outside the court where a terrorist was being arraigned everyone thought they where in protest. It turned out that their leader made a public statement as the camera man zoomed in on him. He said: “I condemn all the jihads and he didn’t care what their names were. Be it Hamas, Al-Qaida it didn’t matter. Then he put his index finger on his fore head and told the people watching the news that night – that if the terrorist wanted a target then let it be right here.” Then he said: “Come I am waiting”

      If every Muslim Organizations that are making these you tubes videos – trying to convinced us that they don’t want to take over our country – would claim that exact condemnation of the terrorist groups then I’d let them put a Mosque in my back yard. Then he an I would stand shoulder to shoulder and wait.

      These people know if they speak out they would disappear like rats – not in mass killings like they try to do to us – but one at a time within their own communities – by their neighbors who are the real cells that have infiltrated our society since the early 90’s – whether it is Michigan, South Carolina or Fort Hood.

      I pray for their courage to stand up if they are sincere – that would change my mind.

      If the Muslims had the courage that I witnessed at 8-28 by Aveda King, Glenn and his crew then there would be a healing of our hearts.

      Be Blessed – Power to Prosper

      PS – I have a buddy who lives in Fernandina Beach

      Report Post »  
  • Comrade Louder
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 9:05pm

    Is Farrakhan counting only Muslims on the ground or those flying the planes?

    Report Post »  
  • HuckabeeGingrich12
    Posted on September 2, 2010 at 8:56pm

    Wow. That’s straight out of left field, pun intended.

    Report Post »  
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