And What About the Ground Zero Mosque?

Pastor Jones’ decision to burn the Koran on Sept. 11 brought back the controversy of the ground zero mosque. The mass found its way to Florida, where extremist-American, anti-Muslim feelings and actions were shown.

Sept. 11 arrived this year in a different context, where the practice of Islam in the United States is at the middle of a real conflict in American society.

Like every year at ground zero, we will read the names of the 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 9/11 incident. But this year, memories started erupting during the summer. The media were invaded with the controversy of a new mosque’s construction two blocks north of the famous ground zero. The construction was approved by New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Along with the approval came President Obama’s emphasis on the constitutional respect of the beliefs of every American.

The actual inferno erupted on the evening of Sept. 10, 2010.

1. Pastor Jones announced his initiative to burn the Qurans on Sept. 11.

2. A very democratic group prepared two demonstrations: one pro-mosque and one anti-mosque, which would immediately follow the official event.

Nancy Pelosi, as current speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, tried asking the two movements about how they were financed, but did not receive an answer.

The Quran-burning story attracted the media to Florida, and people forgot to stay on top of the ground zero mosque issue.

Meanwhile, Imam Rauf, who got back from his trip to the Middle East, stated his project on CNN’s Larry King Live on Wednesday night. He commented on Governor Paterson’s proposition to find a different site for the project. We noticed that he has decided to name the mosque Cordoba, not Park51, as per rumors.*

Imam Rauf emphasized his intention to build the mosque as a place of integration for young Muslims. But that’s not it. It will also be an ecumenical space for people of different faiths who wish to pray. The mosque will also include a multifaith memorial to immortalize the 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 9/11 incidents.

The Daily Beast raised a question about the financing of the mosque. It is surprising that only $9 million has been accumulated for a project that will have a minimum budget of $100 million.

From today until Sunday, will the Florida incident be forgotten? Will the ground zero controversy rise in full force once again? Are the American people going to be able to live with their differences? And maybe Imam Rauf will change the location of the mosque in a Christopher Columbus way — he who went to a different destination than expected and discovered America. Perseverare diabolicum!

*Editor’s Note: The proposed name of the mosque was recently changed from Cordoba to Park51. It appears the author is pointing to the imam’s reference to it as Cordoba during the interview.