May 22 2010 A Ground Zero Mosque? An interfaith cultural center? Some facts:

I really don't know how I got into this turmoil. I am still angry at having to share a podium, on Fox News earlier in the day, with an Islamophobe who spouted what seemed to me to be obvious lies and exaggerations about Islam, Muslims, and Imam Feisal. The Imam and his wife Daisy Kahn are spearheading the drive to build an interfaith cultural center a few blocks from Ground Zero, the site of the September 11, 2001  attacks on the World Financial Center.

Interloping opponents to the community approved project are wrapping their opposition in the shrouds of the people who died on 9/11, saying things like, "This is a slap to those that lost a loved one in 9/11/01 attacks", and "...stand up and tell the Muslims , no you can not build here." [NYPOST] (I detest this exploitation of victims and their families in support of extremist, anti-Muslim agendas. I detest the branding of 'Muslims' as unwanted, dangerous people to be excluded from our culture.) 

On the other hand, Ro Sheffe, chairman of local, elected Community Board said, "I like everything I've heard about this." [NYPOST]

I have to get the lies washed out of my brain so I Skype Daisy Kahn, to save a few minutes on my cell bill, and tell her I want to interview her and the Imam so I can better answer questions I have about the project directly, from the two of them. The Imam is on his way out of town, but Daisy is willing and says, 'Come on up to the office.' Maybe she's already heard from the two or three people I previously called to see if they could help me get a face-to-face.

Train or car? It's late, on a Friday, and Bay Ridge is a long way from the Riverside Church, a block  north of Daisy's office. I've had some molasses trips on the N train lately so I take the car and pray to the god As Phalta that there will be easy parking. The trip is quick with little Friday exodus trafiic because everybody is saving their gas budget for next weekend's Memorial Day Road Madness. I zip into a spot about 4 blocks away thinking, "I'd better grab this one. "

It's hot, and I'm uncharacteristically wearing a linen jacket, 'dressed up' to meet Daisy. I quick walk to the office, yogaizing my body not to sweat too much, and pass the church, and into the wonderfully cool lobby where I am directed to the American society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) offices. The nice lady at the desk gives me the wrong room number and I stroll about the second floor poking my head into a couple of offices with promising sounding names. Ah, here it is.

I had already read that AMSA, founded in 1997, is dedicated to  "strengthening an authentic expression of Islam based on cultural and religious harmony." They are partnered, in the downtown center effort, with the Cordoba Institute who believe the way to world peace lies through "understanding and putting into practice every human right for all mankind, irrespective of race, gender, faith, nationality or social status." [Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech]. Not too shabby, I think as I enter the office.

I'm waiting for Daisy Kahn to get off the phone and the receptionist, noting my overheated state, brings me a glass of cold water. I down it in long sips. The office is spare; some literature on the shelves, some comfortable chairs around a large space ringed with smaller offices. Ford Foundation? Not. Smallish NGO? Yeah. I've been here before. My ever-restless mind slowly forms a picture of as-yet-unmet Daisy. I picture a wiry, hijab-covered, bundle of energy, piercing eyes, nervous hands, tight mouth...and of course I am way off base. The Daisy Kahn that comes to meet me is uncovered, unwiry, and quite a placid person. Her mouth is soft and smiling. Her visage welcoming, and not at all uptight that a relatively pushy guy from 121Contact, which she probably never heard of, is coming to interview her. So much for anxious fantasizing.

She is patient as I explain how I got to sit before her, the death of my nephew Mitch Wallace on 9/11, the work of 121Contact. I re-iterate the reason for the interview, and she agrees to answer my questions fully, and honestly. We talk for about an hour.

I had been shying away from calling the project 'The Mosque' because it has become such a loaded term. I've been writing about it as 'the cultural center.' Daisy had no such reservations. She is proud of the project, and feels strongly that the project is a correct expression for her and the Imam, for Islam, for Muslims, and for New York City.

[b-The Questions and Answers that follow were not taped. These are transcriptions of my notes. These 5 questions seem to me to be most relevant to the issue at hand. There were more personal exchanges, but they are not reported here.]

Q-I heard yesterday that the center was funded by Saudi Arabia and that along with this funding come restrictions on what is to be taught. Is this true?

A-The project for the Mosque has not received any funds from Saudi Arabia. In fact, it hasn't received any funds at all. It a local, grass-roots project that will apply for funding only after the scope is defined. Cordoba has, in the past, received funding from Saudi Arabia but only for a few youth conferences outside of the United States. We have never received any funding from Saudi Arabia for work here in America.

Q- I was told that the Imam preaches that Muslims must follow Shariah law and that your intent is to bring Shariah to the United States. It is, in fact, the hidden reason that you are building the center.

A- America's Muslims are already following Sharia law. This is part of what it means to be a Muslim. It is a basic tenet of Islam, although it varies quite a bit from culture to culture. At its heart are the guiding principles of protection of life, family, wealth, religion, dignity, and intellect. Prayer, fasting, giving to charity, visiting Mecca-these are part of the core also. Each culture into which Islam was injected had its own practices of law, etc., and many of these persisted as layers on top of the core Islamic teachings. Shariah varies from country to country because of custom, not because of Koran. The fearful brand of Shariah is an abomination, with chopping of hands and things like this. Our U.S. brand of Shariah has been existing and forming over many years. This is how American religions evolve.

Q-I was told that the Mosque is planned as expression of Muslim supremacy, victory on 9/11, a symbol of the Islamist conquering of America. What does the Mosque and Cultural Center symbolize to you?

A-The YMCA, 92nd Street Y, the JCC-these are the expressions of past emigrations. Islam is now beginning this process of assimilation. We now see our role of serving the community while serving Muslims. It is part of the expression of Islam in America, through American cultural manifestations of religion. The center will be another symbol of Islam's assimilation into American culture. We are restating the core values of Islam in the American framework.

Q-Why did you locate the Mosque in downtown New York, so close to Ground Zero?

A-This project is a local project. It has its roots in the community. The Warren Street Mosque has existed in the neighborhood for over 10 years. Imam Faisal has been a part of the community for many years. Our local Mosques are overcrowded and the need existed before the project got under way. There is a lack of cultural, community, and venue space in the area. The downtown Alliance is very much in support of our work because of the need for cultural and residential amenities.

Q-How did you assess community attitudes?

A-By actually asking those who live there. We took many ideas from residents and have incorporated them into the plans for the center. Many of these ideas we had before, but the community also said they wanted them.ideas like space for Senior Citizens and recreation.

The last things Daisy said: I believe most people downtown will welcome us. We will have an open door policy and we will enrich NY with a robust engagement of people all around us.

Before I leave Daisy remembers I said I was beginning to learn Arabic. She hands me a book written by her father-in-law, and gifts me with 'Arabic for English speaking Students' by Muhammad Abdul-Rauf. It is a symbol, a bridge, and a welcome addition to my course work. I am touched by her thoughtfulness.

So I head back to the street, to my oven of a car, happy to have met Daisy Kahn. I was also happy to have put to rest the lies of yesterday, promulgated by an Islamophic interloper into the affairs of downtown New York. We didn't close the churches when Timothy McVeigh slaughtered hundreds in Oklahoma City. We didn't paint all Christians as terrorists then.

We shouldn't paint all Muslims as terrorists. Muslims have been part of our lives since at least 1731. They've been living an American brand of Shariah all this time. We shouldn't resist Mosques in our midst. They are merely expressions of part of our changing culture, and America is strong enough to respect, absorb, assimilate, and integrate without loosing our basic values of freedom of religion, the rule of law, and equality and justice for all.

Comments

[Nancy Meyer]

"The idea of a mosque so close to the WTC site has to have another agenda" - wow, does that sound fearful. What are you afraid of?

What if we showed your perceived enemy that we are not afraid of their culture by allowing them to build the center? What if we tried to understand and accept the overwhelmingly peaceful aspects of the Muslim tradition instead of stereotyping all Muslims based on the hateful acts of a minority of extremists?

And what if your worst fears are justified, but some future Muslim extremist decides NOT to attack that area BECAUSE there is a mosque there?

While we cannot know what the future will bring, we cannot expect it to bring good things when our plans for it are based on suspicion and fear.

[BRUCE WALLACE]

You said 'The idea of this mosque so close to the WTC site has to have another agenda'
The terrorists win if you keep thinking this way. Muslims have been part of the U.S. for over 100 years...good citizens, like any other immigrant group. You must stand up to extremist tricks and not reject your good neighbors. The Imam Faisal, of this mosque, publicly stated:
o Sept 30 2001 [TV: 60 Minutes] Fanaticism and terrorism have no place in Islam. That's just as absurd as associating Hitler with Christianity, or David Koresh with Christianity.
o Nov 6 2009 Killing is as much a sin in Islam as it is in Christianity, Judaism and all the major religions. Taking the law into one's own hands is against Islamic teachings.

Don't let the extremists fool you. They are a tiny minority. Use your own mind, and heart.
bruce

[Maureen Bosco]

Justice for All and Freedom of Religion. Those lost on Sept. 11, 2001 still have no justice and are not free to practice their religion. Members of the Cordoba Institue should practice their beliefs in Indonesia and Egypt where churches are being torched for even the thought of expanding or mentioning the name of Allah during services. No mosques have been torched in the U.S., to the best of my knowledge. The idea of this mosque so close to the WTC site has to have another agenda; I'm sorry you did not ask more intense questions. I guess it was too hot already. Your remark on Timothy McVeigh....no justification for this cruel and cowardly act....but he did not do it in the name of Jesus.

[Lynn]

Couldn't agree with you more!