Lost in the shuffle about the protests of building a cultural center near Ground Zero is that a number of Muslims died at the towers that day -- not just the nut cases in the planes -- and that nearly all Muslims adamantly opposed the actions and events that took place on 9/11, and denounced them strongly, saying that the Islamic religion in no way condones it.
The controversy has been inaccurately dubbed the "Ground Zero mosque."
It will not be a mosque and it will be near, not at Ground Zero. It will be a $100 million, thirteen-story Islamic cultural center with a pool, gym, auditorium and prayer room.
And by the way, two mosques have existed in the neighborhood for years. "Ground Zero mosque" have become code words for racism and bigotry.
"Eminent" politicians are jumping on the anti-mosque bandwagon. Sarah Palin called it a "stab in the heart of the 9/11 families." Senators Johnny Isakson, Olympia Snowe, and John McCain called the cultural center "insensitive." Former Mayor Rudolph W.Giuliani -- the 9/11 saint -- called it "offensive." And New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio called Iman Feisal Abdul Fauf, the Iman behind building the cultural center, "a terrorist-sympathizing Imam." And that right-wing spokesman, Rush Limbaugh, called the President "Iman-a-bama" for supporting the cultural center.
Racism and bigotry are alive and well in America.
Unfortunately no one remembers the stately speeches given by President Obama and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Sadly, everyone is invited to the "International Burn a Koran Day" hosted by a nondenominational church in Gainesville, Florida, scheduled for the the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Maybe, Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh can be persuaded to MC. Bring the whole family. Kids love a bonfire.
Makes one proud to be an American. (sigh...)
