Muslims in NYC Planning to Build Second Mosque Near Ground Zero (2 Viewers)

[Chadstroma]

Updated May 17, 2010

Muslims in NYC Planning to Build Second, Smaller Mosque Near Ground Zero

By Ed Barnes

- FOXNews.com

As controversy surrounds the construction of a 13-story mosque just two blocks from Ground Zero, FOX News has learned that an effort to place a second mosque close to the hallowed site in New York City is in its advanced stages.

The Masjid Mosque has raised $8.5 million and is seeking an additional $2.5 million to begin construction. While it apparently has not settled on a final location, it has told donors it plans to build very close to where 3,000 people were killed in the September 11 terror attacks.

In fact, the website appealing for donations boldly states that it plans to “build the 'House of Allah' next to the World Trade Center. Help us raise the flag of 'LA ILLAH ILLA ALLAH' in downtown Manhattan."

One source said he believed the planners are considering a five-story building on 23 Park Place, closer to Ground Zero than the 13-story mosque the Cordoba Initiative is planning to build. But a tax record search shows that 23 Park Place is in private hands and has not changed owners since 2008.

Unlike the massive $100 million Cordoba House mosque, the Masjid Mosque is small – and it is no stranger to the neighborhood. Since 1970 it had been located at 12 Warren Street, about four blocks north of the World Trade Center, in a neat but nondescript industrial space that once housed a printing shop. It lost its lease in 2008 when the building was sold, and it was evicted from its second-floor prayer space on May 25 of that year. Since then it has been operating out a cramped basement space in a nearby building at 20 Warren Street.

On Friday evenings the mosque, which is popular with street vendors and taxi drivers, becomes so crowded that worshipers spill onto nearby sidewalks to pray in what has come to be a community event.

A press representative for Daisy Kahn, executive director of the Cordoba Initiative, said neither she nor anyone in her group had been aware of the Masjid’s efforts. “They have no connection to us,” she said. “We didn't even know they were there.”

Masjid mosque leaders claim on their website that they are deeply involved in converting people to Islam and run a special program to convert those who are interested.

Efforts to reach mosque leaders were not successful. Calls left with Naheem Mohammed, the mosque’s treasurer, were not returned. Calls to the mosque itself were not answered. And efforts to reach Abdullah El-Khory, the president of the mosque's board, were not successful.

Julie Menin, chairwoman of Community Board 1, also declined to return several calls. The board, which monitors and approves all development in the financial district surrounding Ground Zero and has been stung by criticism from the families of 9/11 victims, is permitted to assess the impact of building a mosque at the site.

What exactly is the controversy here?

 

[GeauxTigers]

 

[Woogie Lee]

they are using a honda to deliver the materials.

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

Good. It sends the right message.

 

[TommyGilmore]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Unlike the massive $100 million Cordoba House mosque, the Masjid Mosque is small – and it is no stranger to the neighborhood. Since 1970 it had been located at 12 Warren Street, about four blocks north of the World Trade Center, in a neat but nondescript industrial space that once housed a printing shop. It lost its lease in 2008 when the building was sold, and it was evicted from its second-floor prayer space on May 25 of that year. Since then it has been operating out a cramped basement space in a nearby building at 20 Warren Street.On Friday evenings the mosque, which is popular with street vendors and taxi drivers, becomes so crowded that worshipers spill onto nearby sidewalks to pray in what has come to be a community event.

So it's a mosque that has been near the WTC for a long time and needs a new home. Doesn't really seem newsworthy.

 

[ceo3west]

Unlike the massive $100 million Cordoba House mosque, the Masjid Mosque is small – and it is no stranger to the neighborhood. Since 1970 it had been located at 12 Warren Street, about four blocks north of the World Trade Center, in a neat but nondescript industrial space that once housed a printing shop. It lost its lease in 2008 when the building was sold, and it was evicted from its second-floor prayer space on May 25 of that year. Since then it has been operating out a cramped basement space in a nearby building at 20 Warren Street.On Friday evenings the mosque, which is popular with street vendors and taxi drivers, becomes so crowded that worshipers spill onto nearby sidewalks to pray in what has come to be a community event.

So it's a mosque that has been near the WTC for a long time and needs a new home. Doesn't really seem newsworthy.

This is Fox News we're talking about here.

 

[Chadstroma]

Unlike the massive $100 million Cordoba House mosque, the Masjid Mosque is small – and it is no stranger to the neighborhood. Since 1970 it had been located at 12 Warren Street, about four blocks north of the World Trade Center, in a neat but nondescript industrial space that once housed a printing shop. It lost its lease in 2008 when the building was sold, and it was evicted from its second-floor prayer space on May 25 of that year. Since then it has been operating out a cramped basement space in a nearby building at 20 Warren Street.On Friday evenings the mosque, which is popular with street vendors and taxi drivers, becomes so crowded that worshipers spill onto nearby sidewalks to pray in what has come to be a community event.

So it's a mosque that has been near the WTC for a long time and needs a new home. Doesn't really seem newsworthy.

It would be newsworthy if there is sufficient amount of 'controversy' regarding it... however, I am just not getting why people would be upset.

 

[ceo3west]

As usual, Fox is manufacturing controversy to sell ad space. It is the headline story on Foxnews.com, yet it doesn't appear anywhere on the front page of the NYT, NY Daily News, or the New York Post. There's some real outrage here

 

[bostonfred]

As usual, Fox is manufacturing controversy to sell ad space. It is the headline story on Foxnews.com, yet it doesn't appear anywhere on the front page of the NYT, NY Daily News, or the New York Post. There's some real outrage here

MSM not taking this conservative issue seriously imo

 

[Statorama]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

 

[timschochet]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

Why? Unless you're blaming all of Islam for what happened at 9/11, why would this be inappropriate in the slightest?DO you blame all the Islamic religion as a whole?

 

[Mr. Retukes]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

 

[Voltaire]

Same one?

 

[Statorama]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

Why? Unless you're blaming all of Islam for what happened at 9/11, why would this be inappropriate in the slightest?DO you blame all the Islamic religion as a whole?

The attackers that I DO blame were all followers of Islam, and used that as justification for killing innocent Americans.It's completely inappropriate for followers of that faith to rub it in the faces of the people in New York and build this mosque. It's a de facto approval of the events that took place that day.

 

[tommyGunZ]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

Why? Unless you're blaming all of Islam for what happened at 9/11, why would this be inappropriate in the slightest?DO you blame all the Islamic religion as a whole?

The attackers that I DO blame were all followers of Islam, and used that as justification for killing innocent Americans.It's completely inappropriate for followers of that faith to rub it in the faces of the people in New York and build this mosque. It's a de facto approval of the events that took place that day.

Probably one of the more ignorant posts I've ever read from you, and that's saying something.Or is this shtick too?

 

[timschochet]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

Why? Unless you're blaming all of Islam for what happened at 9/11, why would this be inappropriate in the slightest?DO you blame all the Islamic religion as a whole?

The attackers that I DO blame were all followers of Islam, and used that as justification for killing innocent Americans.It's completely inappropriate for followers of that faith to rub it in the faces of the people in New York and build this mosque. It's a de facto approval of the events that took place that day.

Wow. I couldn't disagree more with your statement here.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Looks like stat is off his meds again.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Good for them.

 

[HellToupee]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick,

gave me a chukle

 

[medium aristotle]

it would be completely inappropriate.

 

[Flying V]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

I'm not going to sweat it unless the minarets look like control towers and there is rumors that it's a front for a Muslim only flight school.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

I'm not going to sweat it unless the minarets look like control towers and there is rumors that it's a front for a Muslim only flight school.

I'd hate to be in charge of their alumni fundraising.

 

[Statorama]

Moderate Muslims think Ground Zero Mosque a bad idea

Of particular interest are the views of leading Muslim moderates — Muslims known for their commitment to tolerance and pluralism, and for their opposition to all forms of radical Islam.

One such individual is Zuhdi Jasser, a physician, US Navy veteran, and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy.

Jasser reminisced last week about his family’s history of building mosques in the heartland communities where they lived. His parents, Syrian immigrants to the United States, helped create the Fox Valley Islamic Center in Neenah, Wis., in 1980. “This was during the Iranian hostage crisis,’’ he recalled, “and some of the local residents wanted the Zoning Commission to prevent the mosque from going forward.’’ But the commissioners gave their blessing to the project, and the modest mosque — the construction budget was just $80,000 — became part of the neighborhood. Later the family later moved to western Arkansas, where they joined with others to create the Islamic Center of Fort Smith. As recently as March, Jasser came out in support of Muslims in Sheboygan, Wis., whose plans for a new place of worship were meeting with vocal resistance.

But he adamantly opposes the ground zero mosque.

“For us, a mosque was always a place to pray, to be together on holidays — not a way to make an ostentatious architectural statement,’’ Jasser said. “Ground zero shouldn’t be about promoting Islam. It’s the place where war was declared on us as Americans.’’ To use that space for Muslim outreach, he argues, is “the worst form of misjudgment.’’

 

[Dragons]

Seems like a good spot. Next time terrorists crash a plane into a building, those complaining will want to be as close to a mosque as humanly possible.

 

[Statorama]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

 

[Mario Kart]

Seems like a good spot. Next time terrorists crash a plane into a building, those complaining will want to be as close to a mosque as humanly possible.

This is true. You know that serial killer that lives next to you, well, he doesn't kill the neighbor because sometimes he needs some salt for his meal. He kills the guy down the road whose dog crapped his yard. Same principle here. Allow a mosque to be built near the site... and no way do radicals fly near there. They might hit the Empire State building barring no mosques near there so the Empire State better start recruiting mosque builders near it to assure safety.

 

[KCC]

Good. It sends the right message.

Very

 

[KCC]

it would be completely inappropriate.

I think that view is completely inappropriate.

Muslim Victims of September 11th Attack Inna li-lahi wa inna li-layhi raja'un.From Allah we come, and to Him is our return.Thousands of innocent lives were lost on September 11, 2001, and our hearts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. For several hundred of the victims of 9/11, grief and sorrow has been compounded by constant suspicion, bias, hatred, and attacks on the faith they hold dear.Imagine being the family of Salman Hamdani. The 23-year-old New York City police cadet was a part-time ambulance driver, incoming medical student, and devout Muslim. When he disappeared on September 11, law enforcement officials came to his family, seeking him for questioning in relation to the terrorist attacks. They allegedly believed he was somehow involved. His whereabouts were undetermined for over six months, until his remains were finally identified. He was found near the North Tower, with his EMT medical bag beside him, presumably doing everything he could to help those in need. His family could finally rest, knowing that he died the hero they always knew him to be.Or imagine being Baraheen Ashrafi, nine months pregnant with her second child. Her husband, Mohammad Chowdhury, was a waiter at Windows of the World restaurant, on the top floors of Tower One. The morning of September 11, they prayed salaat-l-fajr (the pre-dawn prayer) together, and he went off to work. She never saw him again. Their son, Farqad, was born 48 hours after the attacks -- one of the first 9/11 orphans to be born. In an interview with CTV Canada, she relates that in the months to follow, she mourned for her husband and endured the hostility of some ignorant people around her. "When they saw me ... I'm wearing a scarf. There is a hate look."Or consider Rahma Salie, a passenger on American Airlines #11 that crashed into the North Tower. Rahma, a Muslim of Sri Lankan origin, was traveling with her husband Michael (a convert to Islam) to attend a friend's wedding in California. Rahma was 7 months pregnant with their first child. According to the Independent UK (October 11, 2001), Rahma's name was initially put on an FBI watch list, because her "Muslim-sounding" name was on the passenger manifest, and her travel patterns were similar to those of the hijackers (she was a computer consultant living in Boston). Although her name was eventually removed from the list, several of her family members were barred from taking flights to her memorial service. Her mother, Haleema, said, "I would like everyone to know that she was a Muslim, she is a Muslim and we are victims too, of this tragic incident.”Partial List of Muslim 9/11 Victims:Note: This list is as yet incomplete and unconfirmed. It has been compiled from the Islamic Circle of North America, the Newsday victims database, and reports from other major news organizations. The victims' ages, employers, or other personal information is included when available, along with links to further information or photos.Samad AfridiAshraf AhmadShabbir Ahmad (45 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and 3 children)Umar AhmadAzam AhsanAhmed AliTariq Amanullah (40 years old; Fiduciary Trust Co.; ICNA website team member; leaves wife and 2 children)Touri Bolourchi (69 years old; United Airlines #175; a retired nurse from Tehran)Salauddin Ahmad ChaudhuryAbdul K. Chowdhury (30 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)Mohammad S. Chowdhury (39 years old; Windows on the World; leaves wife and child born 2 days after the attack)Jamal Legesse DesantisRamzi Attallah Douani (35 years old; Marsh & McLennan)SaleemUllah FarooqiSyed Fatha (54 years old; Pitney Bowes)Osman GaniMohammad Hamdani (50 years old)Salman Hamdani (NYPD Cadet)Aisha Harris (21 years old; General Telecom)Shakila Hoque (Marsh & McLennan)Nabid HossainShahzad HussainTalat HussainMohammad Shah Jahan (Marsh & McLennan)Yasmeen JamalMohammed Jawarta (MAS security)Arslan Khan KhakwaniAsim KhanAtaullah KhanAyub KhanQasim Ali KhanSarah Khan (32 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)Taimour Khan (29 years old; Karr Futures)Yasmeen KhanZahida KhanBadruddin LakhaniOmar MalickNurul Hoque Miah (36 years old)Mubarak Mohammad (23 years old)Boyie Mohammed (Carr Futures)Raza MujtabaOmar NamoosMujeb QaziTarranum RahimEhtesham U. Raja (28 years old)Ameenia Rasool (33 years old)Naveed RehmanYusuf SaadRahma Salie & unborn child (28 years old; American Airlines #11; wife of Michael Theodoridis; 7 months pregnant)Shoman SamadAsad SamirKhalid Shahid (25 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald; engaged to be married in November)Mohammed Shajahan (44 years old; Marsh & McLennan)Naseema Simjee (Franklin Resources Inc.'s Fiduciary Trust)Jamil SwaatiSanober SyedRobert Elias Talhami (40 years old; Cantor Fitzgerald)Michael Theodoridis (32 years old; American Airlines #11; husband of Rahma Salie)W. Wahid

 

[ArcticEdge]

I dont care if they build a mosque there, as long as they dont start any ####. Yeah I said they.

 

[Fennis]

I dont care if they build a mosque there, as long as they dont start any ####. Yeah I said they.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAlVKgl_zCQ

 

[Shawnky]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

 

[Statorama]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

Those that do not study history are doomed to repeat it.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

Yeah, it's usually better to not have any sense of history.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

Yeah, it's usually better to not have any sense of history.

Like the people that run the History Channel.

 

[JohnnyU]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

Tell that to the Jews.

 

[JohnnyU]

There are two places where muslims would like to build a mosque. One, a place of religous importance to other religions. Two, a place where they feel victorious. If they allow a mosque to be built at ground zero, someone will blow it up eventually.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

There are two places where muslims would like to build a mosque. One, a place of religous importance to other religions. Two, a place where they feel victorious. If they allow a mosque to be built at ground zero, someone will blow it up eventually.

wat

 

[pantagrapher]

There are two places where muslims would like to build a mosque. One, a place of religous importance to other religions. Two, a place where they feel victorious. If they allow a mosque to be built at ground zero, someone will blow it up eventually.

wat

He's an expert on Mooslims. Recognize.

 

[Hooper31]

The stupidity from both sides of the aisle in this thread frightens me.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

The stupidity from both sides of the aisle in this thread frightens me.

So what's your opinion on the matter?

 

[Lake Titicaca]

It's funny to watch Christians get their panties in a bunch over this.

Until there's a Ted Kennedy memorial swimming and driving school opening up in Chappaquiddick, this Mosque takes the prize for most inappropriate landmark in the history of things being built.

I'll see you and raise you a few WWII Japanese internment camps. Everybody's too quick to ban things they don't like. In a free society ultimately these things shake themselves out. Let the terrorists build it and demonstrate what they're about.

 

[Hooper31]

The stupidity from both sides of the aisle in this thread frightens me.

So what's your opinion on the matter?

That people are hot to kill each other because of their religious beliefs, or differences in beliefs. People on both sides of this conflict look stupid when they seek out reasons to be offended by the other side. Muslims and Christians are two sides of the same coin in my opinion. The rhetoric being spewed forth here by Fox isn't news. Its directed at evoking an emotional response.

 

[[icon]]

I see no problem with this.

 

[Christo]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

What exactly is the importance of remembering the events that happened? It doesn't change anything. Call me "unpatriotic", but atrocities such as these are better forgotten.

Say what now?

 

[eoMMan]

Mosque?

Is that like an old wooden ship?

 

[Darth Cheney]

Just because that Christian Church has the right to protest at the funerals of U.S. soldiers... doesn't mean that they should or that it would be the most effective way of promoting their message.

 

[perry147]

Just because that Christian Church has the right to protest at the funerals of U.S. soldiers... doesn't mean that they should or that it would be the most effective way of promoting their message.

Kind of like these people.Link

"Ground Zero Mosque" protest ends up, predictably, with racially-motivated hatred"

There was a protest yesterday, attended by various wingnuts, racists, riled-up nativists, and terrified fools, of the supposed "Ground Zero mosque." (It will not be at Ground Zero, and it will actually be a community center that will include a mosque. But still.)

While national conservatives have picked up the ball, what local opposition there is to the proposed community center has been ginned up by Rupert Murdoch's New York Post -- mainly via perpetually outraged columnist Andrea Peyser, whose anti-mosque columns are regularly teased on the front page.

The entire anti-mosque campaign isn't about anything other than pure, paranoid Islamophobia. A Peyser column a few weeks ago was entirely about people in Sheepshead Bay -- some miles from Ground Zero -- protesting a proposed mosque solely because they're scared of Muslims.

Anyway, they had their protest yesterday. Mike Kelly of the Bergen (New Jersey) Record reported this heartwarming incident:

At one point, a portion of the crowd menacingly surrounded two Egyptian men who were speaking Arabic and were thought to be Muslims.

"Go home," several shouted from the crowd.

"Get out," others shouted.

In fact, the two men – Joseph Nassralla and Karam El Masry — were not Muslims at all. They turned out to be Egyptian Coptic Christians who work for a California-based Christian satellite TV station called "The Way." Both said they had come to protest the mosque.

"I'm a Christian," Nassralla shouted to the crowd, his eyes bulging and beads of sweat rolling down his face.

But it was no use. The protesters had become so angry at what they thought were Muslims that New York City police officers had to rush in and pull Nassralla and El Masry to safety.

"I flew nine hours in an airplane to come here," a frustrated Nassralla said afterward.

But don't you dare call these people bigots!

 

[TommyGilmore]

At one point, a portion of the crowd menacingly surrounded two Egyptian men who were speaking Arabic and were thought to be Muslims."Go home," several shouted from the crowd.

"...back to Poland....Germany....and everywhere else..."

 

[Statorama]

In this country (USA) they are free to build a mosque anywhere that any other religion could construct a building.

Not questioning the legality, only their insistence on wontonly rubbing 9/11 in the faces of those most affected by the atrocity.I hate that people are starting to "forget" 9/11.

You are an idiot.

I'm quite certain that my mental capacity surpasses yours. Edit: With the exclusion of HDTV related issues. I'm kind of a rube in regard to that subject matter.Your contribution(?) to this thread kind of underscores that.