Honoring Islam on Ground Zero

Written by: Bryan Ridenour

Does anyone else marvel at the ignorance of liberalism? Almost daily, head-shaking news accounts cross the wire. Whale lovers blubbering over the lack of sanctions in the whaling industry, “before reading” warnings printed on the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, or repealing “Don't Ask Don't Tell,” all cause me to wonder if the United States of America is in an irreversible tell spin. Many Americans agree, November can't come soon enough. But when one thinks the Left can't stoop any lower, another jaw-dropping headline makes news.

A New York City Community Board approved a plan to build a mosque near the site of Ground Zero. After several hours of heated debate, the council voted and by a tally of 29 – 1 endorsed the Muslim-led project. Thankfully, the Board does not have the final word, but citizens often times support decisions made by the Board. Members supporting the project bragged on New York's sensitivity to diversity and tolerance.

Called the Cordoba Initiative, the $100 million dollar, thirteen story center plans to be built 600 feet from Ground Zero. The Cordoba Initiative website shares that the center will be “guided by universal values in their truest form- compassion, generosity, and respect for all.” Respect for all? The stated purpose and goal of the Cordoba Initiative obviously fails to take into consideration the feelings of the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. Let's consider a hypothetical situation. What if Protestants torpedoed into the Twin Towers on that fateful day almost a decade ago, killing nearly 3,000 people? Fast forward to 2010 and envision the Reverend Billy Graham holding a press conference in Lower Manhattan, announcing his intention to erect a $100 million dollar Evangelical Worship Center, its stated objective affording “respect for all.” Can you imagine the outrage? Can you almost hear the perfectly coiffed talking heads on CNN spouting vitriolic criticisms of such a proposal? Can you imagine a vote of 29 – 1 sanctioning such a venture? But where's the media outcry over a Board's endorsement of a proposed “Mecca” of sorts at the site of the largest scale terrorist attack on American soil, perpetrated by Islamic radicals.

If this project comes to fruition, no longer is Ground Zero a memorial of staggering loss, but the hallowed ground of Islam's victorious attack on “infidel” soil. Let's imagine another chilling scenario. It's September 11th, and as congregants solemnly gather to remember the fallen, carillon from the Cordoba Mosque chime. The solemn reading of those perishing, drowned out by the Islamic call to prayer. If the Cordoba Initiative desires “respect for all”, the mosque's construction should be in a location where Ground Zero is not eclipsed by its long shadow.