Park51 developer discusses the opening of the first phase of the community center

Coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Peace, the first part of Park51, the planned Lower Manhattan Islamic community center that sparked an international controversy last year, is set to open today.

Park51's first big public event will be a photography exhibit comprised of portraits of children from 169 countries who now live in New York City.

Sharif El-Gamal, Park 51 developer and chairman of the board of directors, talks to American Morning today about the protests surrounding the project and where the construction of the center stands.

Photos are courtesy of Danny Goldfield.