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The Mosque at Ground ZeroThough I know that this issue is very controversial, it's also something that Ithink is important to face. The proposed community center (which wouldinclude a mosque), blocks away from where the World Trade Centerstood, has become a flashpoint of debate around the nation. The presidenthas been criticized by many for saying, "As a citizen, and as president, Ibelieve that Muslims have the right to practice their religion as everyoneelse in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship andcommunity center on private property in Lower Manhattan in accordancewith local laws and ordinances."

As a citizen, I, too, agree that they have every right to practice their religion

freely--whether or not it is blocks from Ground Zero. After all, the firstamendment in the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights includes theline: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Why should we treat a mosque anydifferently from a syngagogue, church, or temple? If we simply decide totreat certain religions in a standard way, but not others, we slide into thehypocrisy--and unjustness--that characterizes dictatorships, notdemocracies.

What's more, the general outrage over the proposed center is only fuelingthe fire of anti-Americanism abroad. The most effective way to fightterrorism is to show openness and goodwill, not hate or discrimination,toward Muslims both here at home and in foreign countries. When wetreat the Islamic population of New York City in a discriminatory way, it onlyconfirms anti-American suspicions in other countries. By antagonizing amoderate group of Muslims, whose only goal is to bring awareness of othercultures to a community center (in the hopes offightingextremism), we areultimately helping the terrorists, and their message that America hatesIslam.

However, the ultimate point of controversy that has shaped the debate isthe fact that it is an Islamic place of worship near the place where Islamicextremists killed thousands of people. I have read arguments from thefamilies of those who were killed on 9/11, and I understand that it touches aplace that is still raw in the hearts of many. But truly, the terrorists whocrashed the planes into the Twin Towers were hardly more Muslim than

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they were any other religion. They killed Muslims, Christians, Jews, men,women, children--and the murder of innocents is condemned by everyreligion I know of. Their league of extremism isnowhere nearthe moderation we have seen from the Muslim group that plans on buildingthe center. When we say that there should not be a mosque nearGround Zero, we imply that all Muslims are responsible, and we condemntheir religion. The sign of one woman protesting the planned center read:"Islam builds mosques at the sites of their conquests and victories." I wouldeasily understand outrage over a proposed Al-Qaeda headquarters atGround Zero. They were the ones who were responsible. ModerateMuslims were not.

The community center and mosque planned near Ground Zero would helpraise cultural awareness and provide a swimming pool, theater, and

performing arts center that no doubt all New Yorkers--not just Muslims--could benefit from. It would show that the religious tolerance we put forth inour Constitution is proved by action, not just a sentence of empty words. Itwould take away fuel for extremist fire and show Muslims around the worldthat America does not hate Islam. And yet, 68% of Americans believethat allowing the Cordoba House (the proposed community center's name)to go on, is the wrong thing to do. Does this sway my opinion?No. Remember what Albert Einstein said: "What is right is not alwayspopular and what is popular is not always right."

Denying the Cordoba House, and the moderate Muslim group planning tobuild it the right to do so, is popular.

Is it right?