On Mosques in America: WTC to Anywhere USA

Mosques in America are on a list of controversial subjects in the news since the application for a Mosque to be built in New York near the world trade center.

American Mosque in Dearborn, Michigan

Freedom of religion is a bedrock of American law. Our beloved Constitution of the United States of America grants freedom of religion in a very important amendment to respect free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.




Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.








Now the problem continues
For those who believe it is an insult to those who died on September 11, I ask what about the Muslims who died that day?
What about the Atlanta Olympic bombers who were a part of the Christian fundamentalist group "Army of God". They harrass families of dead soldiers, bomb abortion clinics and are homegrown terrorists. Should we ban all churches from building because of them?


Some supporters of the proposed community center site (it will contain a prayer-room/mosque-like area along with exercise rooms, class rooms, a pool, etc) include some wonderful interfaith allies.
Jewish vigil supporting Muslim cultural center in Lower Manhattan by Rabbi Arthur Waskow is perhaps one of the sweetest and most thoughtful articles I have read regarding building the community center, and addressing the issue from an interfaith standpoint.


Another awesome blogger outlines "Park 51: Much Ado About a Mosque"


Park 51, the community center and Mosque is bringing people who had latent Islamophobic tendencies regardless. Now these people are making news, being rude, and harrassing Muslims across the US:


Bridgeport Connecticut:  "Operation Save America" stands outside a Mosque with signs saying "Islam is a lie", shouting on bullhorns. Mosque members requested police presence for safety. News by the Connecticut Post. In fact they are planning on harassing and intimidating Muslims during Ramadan according to another article by ABC Connecticut.




Murfreesboro, Tennessee: According to the Associated Press:
      Foes of proposed mosques have deployed dogs to intimidate Muslims holding prayer services and spray painted "Not Welcome" on a construction sign, then later ripped it apart. 


Temecula, California- The folks in California give me hope! Really you folks in Temecula, California organized a counter event to welcome the growth of the Muslim community in Riverside County. Special thanks to TPM (TalkingPoints Memo) for not only outting the haters before their proposed prostest... but for writing an article and titling it "Bigotry Fail" 


Finally, on Foreign Policy in Focus, the argument is laid out with a bit of snark... and I agree.  The thinly veiled threats and bigotry are coming to light across the US.  Thank God for decent people who believe in freedom of religion, and that that Mosques and community centers actually help decrease radicalism by increasing community interaction. 


While I try not to become to saddened over the bigotry of my fellow Americans, I see opportunity for people to stand up for the rights and freedoms of one another.  I am grateful for the individuals, who, like my beloved Aunt in Seattle, gathered her friends and went to ensure the local Mosque was safe when anti-Islamic backlash gathered the following day after September 11, 2001.




More Mosque Hate:


In Staten Island: Where residents and Muslims spoke out... and it ended with a rude Q&A and police protection for Muslims


In Florence, Kentucky: A Mosque is scheduled to be built on land owned by local Muslims who currently pray in a rented space. Locals have handed out fliers and requested town leaders stop the construction.