American Morning
Islamic center to be built near Ground Zero
(CNN) – A New York City preservation commission has cleared the way for an Islamic center and mosque to be built just blocks from Ground Zero. That's after the panel voted against protecting an abandoned building that's standing in the way of the project.
The commissioners voted unanimously against landmark status for 45-47 Park Place. It and an adjoining building already connected on the inside, 49-51 Park Place, are owned by real estate developer Soho Properties, which intends to build the Islamic center two blocks north of the former site of the World Trade Center.
Backers of the center say they plan to use it to promote interfaith understanding, but critics don't buy it and have vowed to sue the city. Our Jason Carroll reports on the heated and passionate debate. Watch 
Landmark status resolved, NYC group moves forward on Islamic center
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It is pure discrimination for others to say they should not be allowed to build the center where they want to especially if they own the building. Muslims did not fly those plains into the buildings, terrorist did. Timothy McVeigh was Christian but we dont hold all those who practice christanity responsible for what he did, why are we doing this with those that are Muslim?
Unfortunately, Marilyn is right. You have to be hopelessly naive and completely out of touch with reality to suppose that Islam has any room in its worldview for "interfaith understanding".
Timothy McVeigh and his accomplices were members of a Christian Militia group. Why isn't anyone complaining about the Christian churches that have been erected near the Oklahoma City site which was - pre-9/11– the biggest terrorist event in U.S. history ...?
It would be a toss up, not sure which disfunctional belief I would prefer not having, "tThe Mosque, Jimmy Swaggert's crew, Oral Roberts' University, Jim Bakker or Warren Jeffs and his "group" ....or the Pope.
Until such time as Muslims begin ridding their communities, families and religion of radicals/fanatics and begin to show worldwide signs of peace toward men, women and children, the term "interfaith understanding" will remain nothing more than an oxymoron.
Good day for America.
Life, liberty and Pursuit of Happiness for all.
I've said before, in my head I know the right way of thinking is religious freedom but in my American heart it would be tough for me to see this symbol sitting right next to ground zero. I don't believe all of people of the muslim faith are bad, in fact I'm pretty sure most are just normal people .I would like to know more, Who are the individual people who are pushing so hard for this and who are the sources financing this?? I think it is a slap in the face to the 9/11 Victims Survivors and the First Responders who also lost people in this attack didn't get to have a Vote on this issue. I think more should be known before this is allowed to be built and, the Muslim leaders who want this built so bad should reach out to the 9/11 Survivors and answer any and all questions put to them if as they claim this center is suppose to promote healing.
I am shocked from what I have seen on the news! What kind of country has this turned into where we let people from the country that bombed us build a building where it happened! No, it may not be the same group of people, but where is the respect for the three thousand people who died? This thoroughly disgusts me. Some people may say this is not intentional, but we all know that it is. I am so tired of watching the news and listening to all the political people act like nobody would ever do something intentional like that. But everyday you see people do these things like this, maybe not on the same scale, but it's the same thing none the less. This is more than just one issue, What has happened to our entire Country? It's disgusting, and here I thought I lived in a country where people stood up for what was right and what they believed in, HA!
So, here is a thought for all you "Political Leaders": Cut the crap with all the formalities and fake promises, say what you mean, mean what you say, live up to your promises, and stop all the sugar coating, because deep down nobody believes you!
And here's a thought for all the citizens of the United States Of America: Stand up for what's right. DO something in your country, instead of sitting back and watching and then complaining because you don't like how the country is being run.
What happened to America?
I don't know, I'm only a teenager but even I can see the faults.
This is outrageous, they were the ones who attacked. Why not build a multi faith centre? Why always giving in to Muslims?
The mosque only is way too polarizing. America has been from its founding and prior to a pluralistic society and it has been shown that its been one of its greatest attributes. We need to de-polarize. We need to understand each other.
I would be concerned if any church or mosque of any single religious belief be built there. Having said that, I would be all for a religious center that would be 'blessed' by all religions to serve as a meeting place for all persons of faith to find commonality between beliefs and be inclusive of non-beliefs as well. Questions asked; answers given. Dialog with respect and understanding of where the others are coming from and within. We need open minds and not closed hearts.
Knowing that there is controversy now and certainly well into the future, why in heavens name would the Muslums still want to build there? Seems to me that they are asking for trouble, now that they know there is 'issues'. In other words, the idea of a mosque has been 'poisoned' by the current idealogical environment.