I want to start by giving my deepest condolences to all of the victims of the horrific events surrounding September 11, 2001 and their families. No matter how much time passes from that unfortunate day in history, we will never forget what happened, where we were, who we were with, what we saw and what we heard on that dreadful day 9 years ago.
As may be expected, I also want to throw my two cents as to the controversy surrounding ground zero. As an attorney, I always try to look at both sides of the coin, so here it is. This Country is a melting pot, full of immigrants from all over the world. If we really dig deep down in history, most of the people living in this Country are a product of immigrants, whether it be first generation, second generation or 10th generation, but somewhere there was a great great grandfather, who came here from another Country many years ago. If this Country decided, long ago, that it will open its doors to different nations and accept and welcome immigrants from all over the world, it must do so without discrimination. Therefore, if this Country decided to allow people of Muslim descent to settle here, then by all means, we should treat them with respect and equally as we would any other immigrant who settles here. We should allow them to practice their religion as we would any other nationality. And if they want to build a mosque, so be it. But what about building a mosque next to ground zero? Well, that's where my other side of the coin comes in.
We all know the details surrounding the 9/11 attacks, who was behind it and how it was orchestrated, so lets not review the known facts. Why do Muslims want to build their mosque near the location, where those with their same belief, thought it was OK to kill thousands of innocent people and destroy thousands of lives? In my opinion, that is insensitive and has a much deeper purpose than what one Imam said was to unite the religions. It was mentioned that the Center would include a recreation center to be used by all and have a place for all religions. Do you really think Jews, Christians, Catholics, or other religions would go to the Muslim Center to pray? I doubt it. It is just inappropriate on so many levels. It is a recipe for disaster, including riots and protests, and doubtfully they will all be peaceful.Even now, before anything is even built, the talk of it is causing such tension, and in a way is dividing this Country. Perhaps intentionally so, don't you think? Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said, in his response to Giuliani, that if he knew that the plans of building a mosque would cause such tension, he never would have put his plan into action. I mean come on, don't insult us. Is he seriously trying to say that he thought that when New Yorkers would hear that a mosque is going to be build near the place of tragedy that was caused at the hand of Muslim extremists, it would go over well? I don't believe it.
I am for all religions, and in my practice as an immigration attorney, I believe that all should be treated equally and fairly. But there is a time and place for everything. And ground zero is not the place for a mosque. Muslims can built a mosque anywhere they want, but building it near ground zero, is much more than freedom of religious, it is nothing less than a bold statement and perhaps even a spit in the face to the victims and all those that oppose it.
Again... just my two cents.
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