Lets first make it clear the mosque is not going to be build at ground zero . It is going to be build at two blocks behind the ground zero and it is part of 100 million $ Islamic center in New york. There is a lot of debate going on whether the mosque should be build or not. The opinion polls have showed majority of Americans are against the mosque . Even noble laureate Obama had changed his side . Democrats are going to have tough fight with republicans in coming elections in November . Especially when Obama is not able to bring the economy back on path and the governments sad response on Gulf oil spill . Obama is losing his popularity . So no one wonders why he changed his stand.
But leave this political aspect and lets give a unbiased look at this proposal of Mosque. America was the first nation to adopt the constitution based on equality for all. It is one of the oldest democracy of the world. This is same US which have invaded many countries with the aim of establishing a democratic country. One of the fundamental principle on which American constitution is laid is the right to religion. Everyone in US is free to follow their own religion. Everyone is free to open religious institutions and practice their tradition and culture . American society is one of the most liberal when it comes to religion. So how can anyone stop an organization from building a mosque on its owned piece of land ? The Islamist group have already acquired the land for building a religious center . No one should dare to stop the building of mosque in land which is the birth of democracy. So legally there should not be any problem with mosque.
Secondly some people say that it would hurt the sentiments of families of the victims . The reason is those who were involved were Muslims. Nothing can be more insane then this in my opinion. Terrorists have no religion . They know only one thing and that is to take innumerable human lives and create terror. The same terrorists are killing hundreds of muslims in Pakistan and Afghanistan. We have already seen the cruelty of Taliban to its own people especially woman. The american Muslims have the same love and respect for US as the christian, Jews Hindu or any other religion. It is fact that Muslims in America have faced many problems and agony due to their faith . It is not their fault that Taliban had planned one of the deadliest attacks in American history. By viewing Muslims as terrorists we are making huge mistake . And if a mosque is not built then it will be greatest insult to the oldest democracy in the world.
Now lets see its impact on the whole world . It is fact that Muslims living in other part of the world do not feel connected with Americans . The reason may be the Iraq war or huge civilian casualties in Afghanistan war or America's constant support for Israel. The same US president went to Egypt and said "I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings". The relationship between the Islamic world and US is not so sweet especially due to Israel. Taliban had tried to take advantage of that bitterness in the relationship. The whole Islamic world will be watching Americas response to ground zero mosque. Untill and unless you take a step forward for peace and confidence building , Obama's dream cannot be fulfilled. So this issue is going to have impact especially in the Islamic world.
I believe that not allowing the construction for building the mosque will be against everything for which America stood for in the past . Islam did not plot the 9/11 terror attacks , though some of the extremist who committed this heinous crime were Muslims......they were not the representative of Islam. From the history we know there are more heinous crimes committed by Jews and christian (extremists). So federal government should pass a bill that no religious institutions will be constructed including those belonging to Christianity , Hinduism , Jew-ism in the vicinity of ground zero or else it should allow the construction of Mosque.
Today this issue is not a game of losing or gaining some popular votes , but it is issue whether Obama have guts to stand for the values for which US stood in the past.
I agree that sentiments get hurt but we have to recover from that. We should not forget that every person has a right to practice his own belief but he shouldn't impose it in any way on others. All beliefs should coexist in harmony. So ideally there should not be any problem in letting the Muslims to build a mosque.
ReplyDeleteBut we should look at a practical point. Though the terrorists do not represent the whole Islamic community, there network does operate through religious centers. The imam supporting this building of mosque also seems to have links to some extremist organizations and he also supports the Islamic law. This is of course not acceptable.
So the question is remains. What's more important? The freedom of religion or eliminating a possible threat to security? I think mosque should be built but all of it's business should be open. Because the Muslims have to reciprocate this noble gesture from American people by maintaining the harmony and peace.