The Mega-Mosque in New York Is Not a Mosque

The discussion on the so-called mega mosque that will rise close to ground zero occupies minds all over the world. To stop the construction of this center, radical opponents use fallacies and false images. Because the attacks of 9/11 have left deep marks in the heart of New York, it is not allowed to construct, within walking distance, a building where American Muslims also honor God. It would be an enormous smack in the face for the victims and an insult to the survivors who mourn their perished loved ones. But this does not concern the construction of a mosque. It concerns the building of a large community house, without any dome or minaret.

That many Americans have doubts on a mosque close to ground zero, I fully understand. I would as an American also protest every prayer house at the spot where 3,000 people have been murdered, whether it is a mosque, church, synagogue or Hindu temple. That does not befit a burial ground. This place ought to be forever a monument, in memory of all murdered civilians, Muslims and non-Muslims who have died unwanted for our freedom.

I have met the founders of this center, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan, several times. On their invitation, I visited a few conferences of Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow in Copenhagen in 2006 and in Qatar in 2009. I spoke there about integration of Muslims in the West, how important it is to think freely and that we have to look in the mirror more often at ourselves before we blame the West for the negative image Islam has been receiving. I have gotten to know them as driven, hospitable and open-minded. I have sat at the table with Imam Feisal while wine was being poured. He did not drink himself, but he did not judge Muslims who did drink. His wife is an entrepreneurial idealist. She has fought for years for the emancipation of, and the equality of rights for all Muslims.

They now want to establish a cultural center in their resident city of New York, where non-Muslims are welcome as well. There, everyone can come to pray or meditate, but also to swim, read, play sports or enjoy music. Such an Islamic center is unique. Nowhere in the world such an institution exists, with a prayer house that offers that many facilities. It will also contain a memorial monument for the victims of Sept. 11.

Why do the fiercest opponents speak of the building as a “Super Mosque”? That is a twist of the facts. With statements such as “This mosque celebrates our murders,” they strongly play on the emotions that many Americans have concerning the attacks of Sept. 11. With a false image, they try to recruit supporters to their cause.

Of course, there is the freedom to say what you think and believe what you want. It is these freedoms that the U.S. is famous for. Terrorists despise freedom. By committing attacks, they want to drive a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims. The arrival of an Islamic center that will promote a more tolerant Islam and foster a dialogue is a thorn in the eye of these extremists.

Geert Wilders will participate in this smear campaign on Sept. 11 in New York. He will be there on the invitation of American sympathizers who fight against Islamization and hate President Obama. Because his second name is Hussein, they see their president as a jihadist.

We can never succumb to the pressure and irrational arguments of all extremists, whether they intensely hate Islam or the West. The coming of such an Islamic multi-functional center in New York is the best proof that in the U.S., freedom is for everyone. And that needs to stay that way, because that has made this nation so grand.