Cordoba_Center

Irina Putney Lana Velez English 111 26 March 2011 Why the Cordoba Center Should be Built in Lower Manhattan In the news, one of the most controversial topics is the building of the planned mosque and or cultural center, near the site of the September 11 terrorist attacks in Manhattan. Opposers claim that by building a mosque in the proposed location would be dishonoring those who lost their lives. The supporters of the proposed mosque believe that in building it, Islam and its followers will gain a better and more positive image, and the mosque and community center will be a valued resource to the community of lower Manhattan. If the proposed mosque and community center is, in fact, built, it will enhance the legacy of lower Manhattan and the area affected on September eleventh, allowing the world to see that terrorists did not win. Many Americans hold a misguided view of Islam and Muslims. Ever since the terrorist attacks of September eleventh, Muslims have often been stereotyped, viewed as terrorists, murderers, and, by many, as enemies of the United States. These misguided Americans believe that building a house of Islamic worship is dishonoring those who perished in the attacks. Opponents also like to use the fact that throughout history, after every great Muslim victory in war, a mosque is always built on the site of the battle. Moreover, in the sixteenth century in Spain, during the expulsion of the moors by Queen Isabella, she renamed the Great Mosque of Cordoba “The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin.” That is exactly the same as what Muslims are being accused of by building a mosque near ground zero. In lower Manhattan, as in any large city in the world, Islam is becoming larger and more prevalent. It is the fastest growing religion in the world. To allow other religions the right to build places of worship and gathering based on religious beliefs, but to disallow Muslims to do so is discrimination. As Islam is the fastest growing religion, Muslims need places to pray and gather. A community center in any large city will help to build a more positive image of Islam. If people can see that Muslims are just everyday people, struggling to get through life’s difficulties just as anyone else, then it might be possible to get rid of the ridiculous stereotypes associated with the religion and its followers. Another important reason, mainly to Muslims, for building a community center in Manhattan is to spread Da’wah, or understanding of Islam and of the Prophet Muhammad and his teachings. This is important to Islam and to every Muslim. The planned community center will serve not only as a place of Islamic worship, but as a community center, similar to the YMCA. The plans include two floors of prayer space, a fitness center, culinary school, a bookstore, a childcare center, a swimming pool, an basketball court, and a food court serving halal, food prepared in strict accordance to Islamic law, dishes. Having a place where the youth of lower Manhattan can escape to from the sleazy underworld of bars, strip clubs, sex shops will undoubtedly lead to the betterment of the local community. The planned community center will serve to enhance relations between Muslims and non Muslims, in the hopes that it will also serve as a gateway to peace an understanding. With the Islamic world ardently watching the current negotiations, some would see this as a good opportunity to make the impression that America wants to understand and live in peace with Muslims. Perhaps in this situation it would do America well to remember the words of Jesus, “Love your enemy.” Works Cited Andy Ostroy, Why the Ground Zero Mosque Should Be Built, Us Politics: The Mosque at “Ground Zero: --- “Mutual Respect & Tolerance” (Bloomberg) Kevin O'Brien, The Mosque Near Ground Zero and its Meanings