NEW YORK (AP) — The imam leading the effort to build an Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero says there is a “misperception” that the proposed site is sacred ground.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said Monday that the location where the center would be built, two blocks from the World Trade Center, has a strip joint and betting parlors nearby. He says it’s “absolutely disingenuous” to suggest that it is “hallowed ground.”
He also says the location is important, because it will serve as a platform where the voice of moderate Muslims can be amplified.
Rauf made his remarks before the Council on Foreign Relations.
Rauf says the center will be a place for all faiths to come together. He says “the world is watching what we do here” and that it is important to “live up to our ideal.”
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Comments (156)
ninecarpileup
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:58amThe lunatic fringe blow up abortion clinics and federal buildings. Does the infinitely wise Imam really not believe that his symbolic middle finger mosque won’t have a big lunatic fringe blazing bulls eye on it?
Report Post »pinkcadlac
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:52am…and perhaps that is what the government is expecting as well… perhaps as a catayst to enact further controls upon our society?
Report Post »obama and his cronies have that backdoor approach woven into many of their schemes…
looks like a perfect opportunity for them to “never allow a good crisis to go to waste”.
AmericanPatriot01
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 2:24pmMr obama’s got to have a crisis, well since one is not at hand, he will assist/ignite one that will fit his needs.
1. We know that he has complete control over the lame stream media and put an end to this right now!
2. He has called this imam a close freind more than once
3. He has met with this imam at the WH and even paid for him to go on his fund raising tour.
4. He stated in his book that if the relations with muslims become ugly he would side with them.
I think the white house is complicit and has created this emergency in order to exploit it by being able to push more of his agenda down our throats in the guise of protecting us. Beware the wolf in sheeps clothing. Jesus help us.
Report Post »whitaker
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 3:39pmwounder if the gov would use it as a way to initate hate speech law in US?
Report Post »whosit75
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:56amThe more he talks, the worse of a case he makes. Honestly, he was better off sitting quietly while the rest of us duked it out; made him look trodden upon. In light of this recent statement along with his “warning” that violence around the world would ensue if the GZ Mosque wasn’t built at that location, it’s becoming more and more difficult to view him as reasonable and truly desirous of healing wounds. Where’s the compassion and sensitivity from him and his ilk, that he demands of the rest of us?
Report Post »auntbea
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:53am“A platform where the voice of moderate Muslims can be amplified. What moderate Muslims? Where? I’ve only heard one moderate Muslim in nine years. This guy (and his buddy in the White House) are crazy-making in the highest order. They are victim-blaming in the highest order. This is text book bullying. We need to stand our ground and tell them to knock it off. We need to tell them we’re not buying it. They don’t seem to understand – We Are Americans!
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:53amhttp://formermuslimsunited.americancommunityexchange.org/2010/03/13/exposing-the-myth-of-moderate-islam/
Report Post »ninecarpileup
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:52amI got two words for Rauf….BITE ME.
Report Post »Lana40
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:51amI can‘t find a single story line on the main news outlets about Obama giving his ’back to school address’ to our children tomorrow.
Report Post »It’s on the dept of Ed page, the whitehouse website and teacher’s union. AFT (that I might add, is pushing the agenda)
Someone please speak up about this!!!!!!!!!!!! They are spinning their beliefs onto our children. :(
Marcobob69
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:34pmThe lame stream media will never print things against Obama’s agenda. The indoctrination of America’s children started a while ago. Check out some of the things our children are being taught, no mention of God or Christianity, but Islam is all over the place. Most elementary kids can’t even recite the Pledge of Allegiance nowadays, when I went to school we said the Pledge EVERY MORNING! It was the first thing we did in the morning. Parents and grandparents, find out for yourselves what is being taught to your kids!!! ASK QUESTIONS! QUESTION WITH BOLDNESS!!!
Report Post »rybur
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 4:44pmThe parents need to teach their kids to question with boldness as well. Who else will they learn it from other than someone they see almost every day?
Report Post »Wendy in FL
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:40am“…it will serve as a platform where the voice of moderate Muslims can be amplified.”
Wonder if that means they will be broadcasting their call to prayer over a loud speaker for all to hear like most mosques do. If so, would be a shame to have to hear prayers to Allah echoing over Ground Zero.
Report Post »carrera
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:50am“…it will serve as a platform where the voice of moderate Muslims can be amplified.”
Report Post »President Obama has continually stated that “elements of the Taliban are moderate”
Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:18amWENDY IN FL wonders, “Wonder if that means….”
His use of “amplified” presents a context of “more powerful”.
“…it will serve as a platform where the voice of moderate Muslims can be more powerful.”
His use of “platform” presents a context of “base of operations”.
“…it will serve as a base of operations where the voice of moderate Muslims can be more powerful.”
His use of “voice” presents a context of “philosophy”.
“…it will serve as a base of operations where the philosophy of moderate Muslims can be more powerful.”
Clear to read this intent of the imam and Muslims is to have a powerful influence over America.
Challenge here is a context for “moderate” cannot be easily set. This depends upon cultural perspective. Our word “moderate” typically means “less extreme”, “middle ground” or “average”.
Within the Islamic culture “moderate” possibly means “non-violent” but this does reflect upon the Muslim intent related to political power and religious power both which can be effected through non-violent means.
“…it will serve as a base of operations where the philosophy of non-violent Muslims can be more powerful.”
Within our American culture this does seem we view “moderate” as “violent” related to the Islamic culture; we are uncomfortable, we are fearful. A majority of Americans view Muslims as violent with disregard to “moderate”.
Our American viewpoint probably sets “moderate” as having a contextual meaning, “violent”.
From an American cultural perspective, this sentence of the imam has an overall context,
“…it will serve as a base of operations where the philosophy of violent Muslims can be more powerful.”
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
AmericanPatriot01
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 2:09pmYou logic is sound and the truth of the words are fitting into this puzzle perfectly.
Sounds like the mission of the rabat is being hidden in plain sight, only masked as a PC statement of purpose.
HOW DARE YOU EXPOSE THE TRUTH OF HIS WORDS?? you evil american infedel.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha – I like you a lot – good to see i’m not the only one with my eyes open.
robert5635
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:37amWhat he‘s planning isn’t a cultural center either. All he is doing is planting a flag of victory.
Report Post »mlkgrgs
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:09pmisnt it funny they want to claim victory after 9 years…….emboldened by bowmama.
Report Post »pilgrim2497
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:37amRauf is a mouthpiece for Obama. His statements reflect Obama’s anti-American, Islam oriented view of reality.
Report Post »So, listen carefully to the Imam. He is revealing Obama‘s plans for our nation’s future— The Democratic Party and the liberal media have already signaled that they are willing to follow that plan.
AmericanPatriot01
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 1:52pmMr Obama’s administration (by default the american taxpayer) paid for this imam to go overdeas to raise the money they need to build the RABAT!!!
Defintion of a RABAT
http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2010/09/gz-mosque-closest-to-islamic-rabat.html
Personally i think they are using these events and anger to cover what they are doing in washington right now. they knew that the american public was/is really upset with what they are doing with our government and needed to exploit this fear/hate condition to draw attention away from the dismantling of america. DO NOT BE FOOLED!! it is a distraction to keep our attention away from the agenda they are persueing…STAY ALERT!!! They are up to no good!!
Report Post »aesaac
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:37am70% of the american populace regard it as hallowed ground. it is mendacious for him to purport that it is not relevant. that the landing gear’s penetration of the building is not perceived as a symbol of divine providence to radical islam is to be blind and disingenuous. it is upon this gear that the ‘martyrs’ rose to heaven in the mind of radical islam. this very building and its proposed use serve only as a means of raising money to profit the imam and his investors. the imam is a rank opportunist. his interest is base, it is money. there is nothing divine in his cravenness. he spits in the eye of those that died, those that will die as a consequence, and to the vile affront that was commited to america. his insensitivity is vulgar. he lacks the heart, soul and crede of an american. his motives are vile. his speech profane.
Report Post »carrera
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:36amImam Rauf willfully neglects the fact that 72 body parts, have been discovered this year alone surrounding the WTC site. He neglects the fact that landing gear destroyed the roof of his recent real estate transaction. He states with open hostility that Americans are “absolutely disingenuous” referring to this site as hallowed ground. It is both hallowed ground and Sacred ground.
Report Post »captquest
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:36amBenjamin Netanyahu once warned us that the fanatics would use America’s freedoms against us one day. I believe that day is upon us.
Report Post »Joseph
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:38amSad but true…Stay Vigilant!
Report Post »grnhrn
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:35amActually it was part of preserve action, but the interest pushing their project somehow over-road the preservation society for that particular site. They really want us to accept their gift. The lower manhatten TROJAN HORSE
Report Post »seventy2
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:35amOne word – Taqiyya! Every time Imam Abdul Rauf speaks or any other highly important muslim speaks, I am very weary about what they have to say and am reminded of the word “Taqiyya”! Yessir ImaRat practiced it all the time. Why shouldnt this “moderate” not do the same.
Of course it’s Holy Ground for him. Look at the other sites in the world where a mosque stands, do we have to be reminded about the Temple Mount?
Report Post »1chicagoan
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 1:01pmAccording to the Koran, spilled Pigs Blood desicrates a mosque site. Has anyone thought about spilling a pint or more of pure Pigs blood on the front entrance? It would stop them from entering the site & whats the worst that could happen to the spiller? A $50.00 fine for littering? It would probalby be the cheapest way to end their plot to violate our sacred area.
Report Post »captainron
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:34amThe last place a decent Imam would put a Mosque is near a strip joint. It is a location of convenience to place a monument of Muslin domination and victory on the or near the site. If he could build the mosque on “Ground Zero ” he would.
Report Post »aesaac
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:39amastute observation
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:34ambuilding a mosque church and synagoge at ground zero is the american answer
Report Post »v.o.t.e.
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:32amlets start a movement to build a mosque, synagoge and a church at ground zero— thats an example for the world all americans can support and be proud of !!
Report Post »BubbaCoop
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:56amOkay…as soon as Jews are allowed to rebuilt their temple in Jerusalem.
Report Post »whitaker
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:51pmwhat about the church that NY city is refuseing to allow the rebuilding, even after they offered to move a few blocks away from the GZ0 block?
Report Post »Tennessee Veteran
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 1:22pmNo, let’s knock down the UN buildings and build it there. The UN could easily move to Geneva.
Report Post »GeeWhiz
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:32amA) He’s full of it, the only religious activities on that site will be Islamic.
B) He doens’t get to define what is sacred to other people, only as to what is sacred to him.
C) It‘s hiliarious to hear him talking about the platform of the voice of moderate Islam when he’s not acting moderate as we speak. Ergo, he‘s FOS as far as I’m concerned.
Had this man acted with understanding, tolerance and compassion from the very beginning that would have gone a long way towards mutal understanding. However one cannot take the ‘my way or the highway’ approach and then say ‘once I get rolling, I‘ll get back to you on that mutal understanding thing’.
Uh, no. You either are, or you are not. His actions already have informed us as to who he is, and it’s nothing that I can get behind.
Report Post »grayrider
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:32amWhy would a mosque want to be located near a strip joint and betting parlors? In many counties and cities in Florida the zoning would not permit the construction of a new religious facility within certian amount of feet from an adult use and visa versa. Woner if New York has the same or similar zoning restrictions
Report Post »jmb847
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:27amIt’s legal, it’s just not appropriate. Moderate Muslims have a chance to improve relations here by moving the Mosque. Apparently a more positive relation of the Muslim community with the rest of us is not the real goal of this man.
Report Post »Diane Oliver
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:25amThe man is evil… pure and simple
Report Post »Joseph
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:37amSadly to say that of anyone is a shame, but you absolutly right. You can see it in his eyes, they are dead…
Report Post »poppopschell
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:24amFirst, sacred ground is in the eyes of the beholder. To many Americans, it is sacred ground. Who should determine this? Tha Iman of a religion which OKs violence iand lying in the Koran IF it leads the Alloah being forced upon the worl?
Second, there is NO such thing as a moderate Muslim IF the truly beleive in what the 2nd half ofr the Koran teaches about violence. Now if these “moderates” will denounce that part of the Koran, I will call them moderates. BUT NOT BEFORE.
Report Post »pepperanne
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:52amwell said They keep asking for our tolerance, but yet refuse to denounce sharia law and the parts islam that promote vilonce. I am so sick of all the beating around the bush and non answers when askeed a question. Its a yes or no answer. And im sick of it to whoever or whatever the person or question is Dor R.
Report Post »CruzerDog
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:23amYes, just like “we cant tell you what porn is, but we know it when we see it”
Same here, Its hallowed ground!!! Get over it…..
Report Post »GlennBeckIsADemagogue
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:24amno one seemed to think the burlington coat factory was hallowed ground until pamela geller started talking.
Report Post »captainron
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:38amWhat?
Report Post »Wendy in FL
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:08amNot true. Because of its Italian Renaissance palazzo style AND the fact that the landing gear of one of the planes crashed through its roof, precedence was in place to make this an historical landmark. God Bless Pamela for bringing national attention to this atrocity.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:11amGlennBeckIsADemagogue Is A Demagogue
gzpanic
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:43ammoron
Report Post »patriotwoman
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:15pmNot only did the landing gear of Flight 175 fall through the roof of the building, the building itself has never been searched for human remains. Bone fragments and pieces of human remains have been found on rooftops of buildings all over the vicinity of Ground Zero.
Report Post »Joseph
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:22amYada Yada Yada, Quack,Quack Quack…I think his delusion is takeing hold, now he’s believing his own lies. Most people now think Islam is a sham and faulse religion now, and with his words of
“the world is watching what we do here” and that it is important to “live up to our ideal.” he is justifing this belife.
Report Post »ConstitutionalPatriot
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:30amNotice this, all people that are lying make mis-ques that show the truth reason of what they are thinking. The Imam’s was this: “He says “the world is watching what we do here” and that it is important to “live up to our ideal.” Notice He exclaims, “live up to OUR ideal” The Muslim ideal is to conquer all non-Muslims, its in the Quran people. Read the Quran in the English translation, if needed or any translation. Know what they believe and you will know what they want.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:53pmGuess we will have to stand up for AMERICAN principles since the WHOLE WORLD is watching.. WE never did like being threatened.. American’s do best when others TRY to back us in a corner..
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 1:29pmit is important for people to understand this is not a mosque. It is not a community center. It is a specific building as perscribed in the qaran as a RABAT. Look it up and you will understand why they will not move it to another location and the purpose for which it is to be built.
“the whole world is watching”? he means that the islamic community is watching to see what happens and according to the imam’s own words will not be happy if they have to change the location. You cannot put a RABAT on the other side of town because it will lose its meaning and purpose.
After each ghazva (Raid/attack), the Prophet ordered the creation of a rabat — or a point of contact at the heart of the infidel territory raided. The rabat consisted of an area for prayer, a section for the raiders to eat and rest and facilities to train and prepare for future razzias. Later Muslim rulers used the tactic of ghazva to conquer territory in the Persian and Byzantine empires. After each raid, they built a rabat to prepare for the next razzia.
Full article here –
Report Post »http://islamizationwatch.blogspot.com/2010/09/gz-mosque-closest-to-islamic-rabat.html
jeannet
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:22amHe doesn’t know what “hallowed ground” is. He lost no one on 9/11.
I have Islamic neighbors in a small apartment complex. They practice their religion and we practice ours. Neither is trying to change the other’s mind. We live quite amicably together. When the extremist on both sides SHUT UP, we can all live together and practice our religious beliefs as we chose.
ARCHON
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 10:47amRauf lost 19-compatriots on 9/11-THE HIJAKCERS.
Report Post »CruzerDog
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:20amARCHON
Touche’
Report Post »Rock Knutne ND
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 12:29pmModerate Muslim…
an oxymoron.
Emphasis on the moron?
Tennessee Veteran
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 1:15pmGround Zero is hallowed ground. Would the Imam say Gettysburg or Arlington are not hallowed ground? Somehow, I would not be shocked if he did say that.
Report Post »PeterBreitholtz
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 5:01pmAny dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media.
Report Post »~Noam Chomsky
Hellpig
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 6:00pmwell using that logic ..Mecca isnt a holy site
Report Post »Stupid Windmill
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 6:49pmYeah! make the scary Muslims go away!
Report Post »Maybe the GEESE Know More than the BEES Know
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 7:09pmif it is not hallowed ground, then he should have no problem finding somewhere else to build his ‘community center’.
if he‘s ’HEAVEN BENT’ on building it right there, then he should have no problem (not being ‘hallowed & all) with a GAY MUSLIM STRIP CLUB & SOUTHERN SUCULENT PORK BBQ PIT flanked on each side of the Cordoba Center looking directly across the street at VICTORIA’S SECRET.
People, the answer is US; let the Imam do what he wants, but America is listening, and we’ll stand up for what is right!
Onward & upward!
Report Post »Pelosis_Nemesis
Posted on September 13, 2010 at 11:53pmMecca isn’t “hallowed ground ” well it is for the Jews …..once again Islam muscles in on someone else‘s sacred ground to claim as there’s … I feel bad for New Yorkers having to put up with this garbage……
Report Post »Peters
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 8:45amIt’s all about sharea . . . about instituting sharea; this needs to be understood to see this properly.
And to attain proper perspective on this, does anyone remember Frank Gaffney? He‘s one of the guys Chris Mathews used as a whipping boy because Gaffney defended President Bush’s decision to go into Iraq, for US security reasons . . . But US security to Mathews is built upon the same liberal haze that he and his colleagues used to get Obama elected, and of course to trash all that was George Bush for eight years, and all of us here for that matter as well.
Well, Gaffney is out making the rounds these days; caught up with him on the radio making it clear to the American people, those that don’t understand that the Muslim faith is dictated by sharea law, that instituting sharea law is the end game, across the world. It is the basis for all the extremism we are seeing coming from the Muslims. And all who do not succumb must be killed. This cultural center fits into that; but you must open your eyes to see it and to understand it . . . to connect the dots.
And yes, Mr. Gaffney makes the distinction that there are Muslims that have come to America to escape sharea, but these Muslims, to their people of origin, those that follow the dictates of sharea, are in violation and therefore will not openly denounce the constructs of this part of the religion/government. They can’t, as they too fear for their lives and for their family’s lives.
There must be a line drawn in the sand, for US security reasons, once again . . . Ground Zero has become an important issue to sharea, to their conquests and expansions. Our homeland has been targeted. We all know that, but understanding sharea allows for the liberal haze that has descended upon us to lift and to make it very clear that we have been occupied and to understand our actions here in the exchange of thoughts and words are correct . . . our instincts to survive are real.
Check out Gaffney . . . listen and hear for yourselves what sharea law has to teach about the reality of what we’re facing, what Imam Rauf is really attempting to sell . . . but don’t tell Chris Mathews . . he just might spit on you.
Report Post »SIRJASON
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:18pm51 PORK PLACE GMZ ON DUTCH PIG FARM
Report Post »Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf will NOT be pleased when he will be forced to tell the Muslims about the history of Wall Street and how it got the name! Moreover, we know ALL Muslims believe that pork is unclean and they are forbidden to eat or touch pork!
How is the world of Islam going to react when they discover they would be praying to Allah in a Mosque erected on unclean and soiled ground by…PIGS? Would he get a fatwa from the Mullahs for his demise or be commanded to STOP?
This is a perfectly great opportunity for Imam Rauf to take The Donald up on his offer and make a 25% profit on the building and the Governor Paterson’s offer to purchase property for a Mosque in New York City with tax-payer money! A WIN-WIN-WIN for ALL concerned!
Wall Street is just blocks from Park Place and the WALL, hence the name Wall Street, to prevent the pigs that were roaming, eating, defecating, and dying on land where Muslims want to build another Conquest Mosque.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s Ground Zero Mosque will be built on soil, ‘IF’ at all, that was owned by a Dutch Farmer where pigs and other unclean animals lived! It was also the place for slaughtering pigs and a graveyard for all of the unclean and diseased animals. I’m just saying.
JustUs
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:23pmThe problem is that we are not living amicably. You have not noticed? We Americans seem to have to rise up constantly to defend our way of life against Islam be it the Mosque or fear we may be killed if we question the Koran. Did you ever notice that when someone on this site quotes from the Koran nobody seems to reply in defense. Are these terrifying passages for real??? and what is a moderate Muslim? I assume they must be someone who regards the Koran like liberals do our Constitution. It is a living breathing document that must change with time and not to be taken literally but open to interpretation. If the Koran is to be take literally then we should all be quite concerned! Any thoughts?
Report Post »DanB
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 12:41pm@SIRJASON
I think the argument about the pigs won’t wash. Or actually, if you are buying the more radical view that this is a conquest mosque then it is “washed” (and it could be–the evidence for and against that seem to lean more towards for it being so as I see it). For if you see this as a conquest mosque, then you must also begin to accept that radical Islam would see this land as washed in the blood of those that died on 9/11. And if you follow this radical thought, then the pigs having lived and died here isn’t really an issue because the human lives sacrificed for the cause would wash away that filth.
Now, I don’t know if it is a conquest mosque. Only the reluctance to move the mosque and the fact that apparently Muslims around the world would be in an uproar if it was to be moved from this site is something that appeals to solidify this idea. Otherwise, I would just call it a poorly planned peace move. Sort of like feeling guilty about massacring American Indians so we round them up and put them on reservations…. I know that is another can of worms there, but I wanted you to understand why Americans might think the Ground Zero mosque is stupid. Why? Because we’ve done our fair share of stupid things and we know it.
Report Post »glendawashington
Posted on September 14, 2010 at 1:40pmIt is those that remain quite while their world is taken over by extremists, that cost millions of lives. History shows us not to ignore the extremists, for as they grow in power, so do the murders of first a few then thousands and then millions.
Report Post »