Lou Dobbs: On Lou's Radar

Ground Zero Mosque Imam's NYT Op-Ed

September 8, 2010

Feisal Abdul Rauf, Imam for the Ground Zero Mosque finally comes out with his comments about building the Cordoba House so close to Ground Zero.

AS my flight approached America last weekend, my mind circled back to the furor that has broken out over plans to build Cordoba House, a community center in Lower Manhattan. I have been away from home for two months, speaking abroad about cooperation among people from different religions. Every day, including the past two weeks spent representing my country on a State Department tour in the Middle East, I have been struck by how the controversy has riveted the attention of Americans, as well as nearly everyone I met in my travels.

The level of attention reflects the degree to which people care about the very American values under debate: recognition of the rights of others, tolerance and freedom of worship.

My life's work has been focused on building bridges between religious groups and never has that been as important as it is now.

We are proceeding with the community center, Cordoba House. More important, we are doing so with the support of the downtown community, government at all levels and leaders from across the religious spectrum, who will be our partners. I am convinced that it is the right thing to do for many reasons.

Our initiative is intended to cultivate understanding among all religions and cultures.

I am very sensitive to the feelings of the families of victims of 9/11, as are my fellow leaders of many faiths. We will accordingly seek the support of those families, and the support of our vibrant neighborhood, as we consider the ultimate plans for the community center. Our objective has always been to make this a center for unification and healing.

Click here for his whole piece

By Feisal Abdul Rauf - Chairman of the Cordoba Initiative and the imam of the Farah mosque in Lower Manhattan - New York Times

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