Faith

Saudi Prince: Move the Ground Zero Mosque

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A Saudi prince who has aided the imam spearheading a proposed Islamic center near New York’s ground zero is appealing for another site not associated with the “wound” of the Sept. 11 attacks, a report said Thursday.

In interview excerpts published by the Dubai-based Arabian Business magazine, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal was quoted as saying that moving the planned mosque, health club and cultural center would respect the memory of those killed in the 2001 attacks and allow American Muslims to choose a more suitable location.

The comments are reportedly the prince’s first public views on the dispute, which has stirred street protests and fiery debates between religious and political leaders over America’s freedom of worship versus the lingering anger over the 9/11 attacks.

Prince Alwaleed‘s Kingdom Foundation has contributed to the group run by New York’s Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, but said he has given no funds to the planned center.

Prince Alwaleed urged the backers of the proposed Islamic center not to “agitate the wound by saying, ‘We need to put the mosque next to the 9/11 site.’”

“Those people behind the mosque have to respect, have to appreciate and have to defer to the people of New York,” the prince was quoted as saying by the magazine, which said the full interview will be published Sunday. “The wound is still there. Just because the wound is healing you can’t say, ‘Let’s just go back to where we were pre-9/11.’”

Prince Alwaleed, who chairs a Saudi investment company that has major stakes in international giants News Corp. and Citigroup, also said Muslims in New York should consider a more “dignified” location than the proposed site in lower Manhattan.

“It can’t be next to a bar or a strip club, or in a neighborhood that is not really refined and good. The impression I have is that this mosque is just being inserted and squeezed over there,” he said.

The Manhattan real estate developer who controls the site of the planned center and is leading the effort to build it declined to comment.

Rauf said in a written statement that the project would go forward as planned.

“While we respect the points of view of other interested observers, we plan to build the community center in this location because we have been part of Lower Manhattan for decades and we want to better serve the needs of our neighbors of all faith traditions,” he said.

As envisioned, the center would indeed sit next to a tavern, about 2 1/2 blocks from the reconstructed World Trade Center. Other landmarks within a few blocks include City Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Woolworth Building, once the nation’s tallest.

Comments (96)

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  • kindling
    Posted on October 29, 2010 at 12:22am

    Thank you Prince Alwaleed. Even he does not understand why so many would see a mosque go up in a less than upstanding area. He also sees the insult and I am grateful for his standing up for decency.

    Report Post » kindling  
  • teddie888
    Posted on October 29, 2010 at 12:11am

    Well, finally the answer to the question if aide was coming from the Middle east for that mosque. A questin the imam Ralf would never answer.
    They can move it out of the country

    Report Post »  
  • oljw00
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:59pm

    How absolutely refreshing…… Hats off to the Prince for his wise decision.

    Report Post » oljw00  
  • ...............R..U..Kidding...Me
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:31pm

    Just a vision….Picture the NYC mosque being built with a piece of 9/11 WTC steelwork lying at the base of the altar with a palque in obama’s own words “Yes we can” engraved on the side.

    Report Post »  
  • bobmontgomery
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:05pm

    There are no churches or synagogues allowed in Saudi Arabia and non-Muslims are not allowed in Mecca. The Prince obviously thinks wisdom is the better part of valor, and the sensibilities of a people ought to be respected, else some crazy Christian might want to build something in Arabia, or promote democracy or something.

    Report Post »  
  • Masamune
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:32pm

    Wow, so now even the Saudi prince is saying the mosque should be moved! Meanwhile, the US president still advocates it’s construction! Shouldn’t this be the other way around here?

    Report Post »  
  • RepubliCorp
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:29pm

    “Righteous Indignation”
    Righteous means acting in accord with divine or moral law or free from guilt or sin. It may also refer to a morally right or justifiable decision or action or to an action which arises from an outraged sense of justice or morality. “Indignation” is anger aroused by something unjust, mean, or unworthy. The Standard Dictionary describes indignation as a “feeling involving anger mingled with contempt or disgust”
    The people that lost someone on 9/11 have every right to burn the thing to the ground if it built. And they wont spend one day in jail if I or someone of like mind is on their jury

    Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Dixon Mason
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:20pm

    The guy sounds reasonable on all fronts. I will take him at his word until I read or hear otherwise. I hope his opinion prevails and that he’s making lots of money on his Newscorp investment.

    And I wish some posters here could do a better job of self regulation as Mr. Beck might say, such as Broker0101. Maybe his DVR picked up some of Greg Gutfeld‘s Red Eye at the tail end of recording Beck and he couldn’t help himself. Regardless, straight to the magistrate you go!

    Report Post »  
  • wildman51
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:13pm

    Wonder what “The View” ladies will say? Will the Prince be a voice of moderation or a bigoted nut-job? Since they called 70% of Americans who said basically the same thing bigoted nut-jobs, they’ll have to say the Prince is a bigoted nut-job. It’s fun to watch the far-left loons try to defend their undefendable positions.

    Report Post »  
  • rdk
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:05pm

    Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has done a great service to his country and America. Hopefully, others will listen.

    Report Post »  
  • tinainva
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:03pm

    I think Feisal Abdul Rauf needs to get a pair and meet with the familes of those who perrished on 9-11. Lets just have a big ol’ town hall meeting with that on the agenda. He should have to look in their eyes and explain why he feels he must build it there, despite the fact that he is being extremely insensitive to them and the Americian people. Then and only then I will change my mind. I tell you, this is the ultimate act of disrespect. He is taking advantage of the freedom that he has in this country and spitting in the face of all of the people who have fought and died to preserve that freedom. How arrogant can you get?

    Report Post » tinainva  
    • tinainva
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:23pm

      By the way, I noticed my typos after I posted. I should have used the screen name “typoqueeninva” lol Sorry about that!

      Report Post » tinainva  
  • BRAVEHEART
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:01pm

    I say build the Mosque in Saudi Arabia, we already have the progressives and the Commie- socialist to deal with. Why give organized hatred and International Terrorism another recruiting station in New York City? Why give Islam another bureau of propaganda to spread the intense hatred they have for western Infidels?

    Report Post »  
  • buckrol
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:50pm

    Now THERE‘S a high level Muslim who’s not an extremist. Any Muslim who’s not extreme would understand why building a mosque there would be insensitive. Check out this hilarious “political puppet theater” video on Blue Dogs, then let’s vote them out! http://www.narf.tv/?p=1037

    Report Post »  
  • subsailorman7
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:42pm

    The mosque next to a bar? I wonder how long it will stand before some people get all drunked up and burn the mosque down. It would serve them right. It doesn’t belong there. I want to get a remote control airplane and fly it into the mosque.

    Report Post » subsailorman7  
  • TurntoTruth
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:40pm

    When people like broker0101 and wdawg share there views so eloquently it only gives those people looking to demonize us fuel for their fire. Did either of you read the article?

    Report Post »  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:03pm

      Of course they did. They are liberal trolls.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • Geo Buds Old Lady
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:18pm

      @TURNTOTRUTH & EQUALJUSTICE – neither of you get it. Neither one of BROKER0101 or WDAWG are liberal trolls.

      Report Post » Geo Buds Old Lady  
  • BoilitDown
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:40pm

    I’ll just say thank you to the prince.

    Report Post »  
  • Lady Hawk
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:37pm

    Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is one of the good guys. You can trust him.

    Report Post »  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:59pm

      Let his actions speak to his ideals and intentions. Time will show us the truth in the matter.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • coasthoosier
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:37pm

    Many cultures and world views are distinctly non-American when it comes to long term memory and strategic planning. This looks like a short term tactical retreat.

    http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/ted-hammer.html

    Report Post »  
  • inmyhumbleopinion
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:32pm

    Do we trust the hand that feeds us or the hand that slaps us? Seems to me this is one and the same…….?

    Report Post »  
  • KimNTennessee
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:31pm

    I had to read this twice to believe it. That’s how to promote tolerance and peace. Thank you Prince for acknowledging that site is a wound. If they ram it through and build anyway in spite of the sorrow associated with that location the majority of Americans will never get over it. If more Muslims would speak out like this it would garner more respect for Islam. I hope he doesn’t end up with his pair blown off for saying it.

    Report Post »  
  • TreyMays
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:29pm

    Y’all should watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROmD64hrv9c. We don’t have freedom of worship, we have Freedom of Religion. There is a difference. Watch the video.

    Report Post » TreyMays  
    • luvtheright
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:05pm

      Thanks! Sure opened my eyes.

      Report Post »  
    • Country
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 1:23pm

      1936 CONSTITUTION OF THE USSR and Freedom of worship….ARTICLE 124. In order to ensure to citizens freedom of conscience, the church in the U.S.S.R. is separated from the state, and the school from the church. Freedom of religious worship and freedom of antireligious propaganda is recognized for all citizens.

      Obama has used freedom to worship in several of his speeches.

      Report Post »  
  • Iamtheoracle
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:22pm

    good

    Report Post »  
  • dontbotherme
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:18pm

    The thoughts attributed to him are honorable and compassionate. I can’t help but wonder if the words are trustworthy and true…. and if the “powers that be” will listen. Honor is an interesting concept.

    Report Post »  
  • Ranger375
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:11pm

    it’s about time a Saudi Prince speaks out about the location. How hard is it to recognize the people don’t want it there. You can build it just somewhere else. Thanks for having a pair Mr Prince!

    Report Post »  
    • neverending
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 12:35am

      Yeah – finally one lacking a streak down his back.

      Report Post »  
    • thebitter1
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 12:51am

      Eh…I’m not so sure about this. 15/19 highjackers involved were Saudis. So either this is a good gesture, or it’s a secret plan to move it to a more dangerous spot.

      Report Post »  
    • smokesters
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 8:39am

      Teddie I understand your hesitation to trust, I am former USAF and served during the Gulf War 1. I served along many of Suadi Militrary folks, and met a few of the members of the Saudi Royal family.
      At first I didnt trust either, but I realized that there are many good Muslems out there around the world, however they are scared to death to speak out, the fact that this Prince spoke out is amazing because he just put a target on his back with the radicals. I hope by his courage many more good Muslems will speak out, but lets not demean a whole country, esp. sense Saudi has become one of our very good alli’s in the mid east, because 9 Radical idiots.

      Report Post » smokesters  
  • silentwatcher
    Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:04pm

    As if it will last.

    Report Post »  
    • OBAMAWORSHIOER
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:13pm

      See we can compromise with you IF its to our long run advantage. Two steps forward, one step back. If you dummies knew your history, you would know where that strategy comes from. Do a google search.

       
    • Wdawg
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:23pm

      This Prince can shove it, i dont care if he is a Fox News owner!

      Report Post » Wdawg  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:30pm

      The outcome of this part on the Saudi Prince will end one of two ways that I see it.

      1. He becomes a voice for tolerance and peace as the mosque is moved.
      2. The radical extremists declare him a heritic and attempt to kill him (and may succeed)

      Whatever the reasons he has now, one thing to me is clear, the Mosque DOES NOT BELONG ON GROUND ZERO!!!

      http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:31pm

      Just had a thought, could Obama have promised the Prince something in return for his help in the matter, such as giving him part of the americas in return, no questions asked?

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • FreedomOfSpeech
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:38pm

      @snowleopard3200 The dude has his own army. No extremists are getting near this guy. He can feel the groundswell against muslims and is most likely looking out for his own interests but I still welcome his voice in this matter. He knows that 11/2 will bring some changes and he’s getting on the right side of the issue before the election. Late, but better than not saying it. Muslims listen to the house of Saud.

      Report Post » FreedomOfSpeech  
    • Mary M. Tebbe
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:43pm

      obamaworshioer: You can compromise with us!? We do know our history. Let me remind you. In Numbers 22 – 24 we find words of Balaam pertaining to our history. I’ll write some of them down for you.
      Balaam uttered this oracle: Balak brought me from Aram (Syria), the king of Moab from the eastern mountains. Come, he said, curse Jacob (all 12 tribes of Israel) for me; come, denounce Israel (all 12 tribes of Israel). How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced? From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations. Who can count the dust of Jacob (we would be numerous and number the dust of the earth, the stars of heaven, the sand of the sea) or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous and may my end be like theirs (soooo blessed!).
      Then he uttered this oracle: Arise, Balak, and listen; hear me, son of Zippor. God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to BLESS; HE HAS BLESSED, and I CANNOT CHANGE IT. NO MISFORTUNE IS SEEN IN JACOB (all 12 tribes of Israel), NO MISERY OBSERVED IN ISRAEL (all 12 tribes of Israel). The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them. God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. THERE IS NO SORCERY AGAINST JACOB (all 12 tribes of Israel), NO DIVINATION AGAINST ISRAEL (all 12 tribes of Israel). It will now be said of Jacob and of Israel, See what God has done! The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims.
      Then Balaam uttered this oracle as well: The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision, from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are open: HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE YOUR TENTS (houses), O JACOB (all 12 tribes of Israel), your dwelling places, O Israel! Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from their buckets; THEIR SEED (Israel’s descendants) WILL HAVE ABUNDANT WATER. Their king will be greater than Agag; their KINGDOM will be EXALTED. God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows (warfare/military) they pierce them. Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness – WHO DARES TO ROUSE THEM? MAY THOSE WHO BLESS YOU BE BLESSED AND THOSE WHO CURSE YOU BE CURSED!

      Yes obamaworshioer, we know our history, thank you very much; but, do you know our history???!!! That is the question.

      Report Post » Mary M. Tebbe  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:57pm

      @Freedom of Speech

      Hope you are right yet one person nearly detonated a saudi prince last year. I remembered this story and figured if one person attempted it, another just might, and the story does mention that it was a cell phone with a incoming call that triggered the bomb.

      http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125144774691366169.html

      This article is a initial report on the prince, thankfully only slightly injured. I do not know if this prince in the article and the one from the WSJ are the same. Any added info is welcome.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 9:59pm

      I’m waiting for Hussain to hit the media circuit , specially the b1tche$ of “the shrews”
      to ell us stupid people that moving the terrormosque will be
      UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • drbage
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:43pm

      Snowleopard, you would be shocked at how much of this country Prince Talal already owns. From what I know of him, I don’t think that he considers our President to be among his friends. In many parts of the world, when Prince Talal speaks, everyone jumps.

      Report Post »  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:50pm

      I did a Google search and found that “OBAMAWORSHIOER” means ‘stupid infidel’ in Farsi.

      PatriotShops.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • thepatriotdave
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:53pm

      Mary M. Tebbe,

      Dear Mary, our pathetic little friend likes to come here and parctice Taqiyya every chance he gets. Funny thing is, he thinks we don’t notice.

      PatriotShops.com

      Report Post » thepatriotdave  
    • snowleopard3200
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:53pm

      @Drbage

      Good point.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • FreedomOfSpeech
      Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:05pm

      @Snowleopard It’s a different guy. The guy who made the comment is a billionaire who flies around in his own 747. He’s literally got his own security force. When he’s in Western countries, he wears a suit and tie. He is very moderate and pro-America as it relates to making money. In the past, he has recognized the American economy as the best place in the world to make money but I am assuming that he is seeing his own pockets shortchanged as a result of Obama’s policies. As I recall, he actually personally bailed out Citibank years ago when they were going under. (He also profited handsomely from his investment.) I’m generally not a fan of Muslims but this guy is a capitalist first and foremost, so I have no beef with him. And I’m happy about his mosque comments.

      Report Post » FreedomOfSpeech  
    • Hmschlmom
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 3:11am

      I’m just amazed he admitted it IS a Mosque… Can they quit denying that now?

      Report Post » Hmschlmom  
    • mizflame98
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 7:12am

      First they have to convince a bunch of NY homeboys to construct the mosque. I think it will go untouched for a very long time.

      Report Post » mizflame98  
    • Rogue
      Posted on October 29, 2010 at 9:50am

      Does it really matter what one prince says? There are more than 3,000 Saudi princes! Talk to me when the House of Saud takes a public stance.

      Report Post » Rogue  
    • betterthantv
      Posted on October 31, 2010 at 3:24pm

      http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/saudi-arabia/101022/why-saudi-arabia-stockpiling-us-weapons

      Report Post » betterthantv  
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