Addressing a meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations today in New York, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf promised to resolve the fierce dispute around plans to build a Muslim community center and mosque two blocks from ground zero, while noting that he does not believe the spot chosen for the center is "hallowed ground," according to an article today at nytimes.com by Annie Barnard.
The article said he "promised to find a way out of the current impasse around the planned center, which opponents say is insensitive to the memory of 9/11 and which supporters say sends the opposite message, that Muslims, like other Americans, object to and were victims of the attacks."
"Everything is on the table," he said, adding that "We really are focused on solving it" in a way that will be best for everyone concerned, he added. "I give you my pledge," according to the article.
He told the meeting that it was "absolutely disingenuous" to say that "that block is hallowed ground," noting that the block of office buildings two blocks from ground zero includes a bar (the Dakota Roadhouse), and an off-track betting office; a strip club is nearby, the article said.
He did not specify what compromises or measures might be part of the solution, the article continued, "although he welcomed what he said was a flood of good will and advice being offered, and suggested that a deliberate pause in moving forward was one possibility."
The article said that the center's planners are "mainly focused on addressing the furor, and the project still lacks blueprints, an architect or funds for the $100 million construction, let alone its ambitious programming, said to include athletics, cultural programs, interfaith dialogues and more."
The imam does not control the location of the center - the real estate developer Sharif el-Gamal does, and he and his supporters have said a move would not satisfy critics. He did thank "those who have voiced their objections to our plans with civility, with respect and with open minds and hearts," adding, "You affirm my belief in the decency and the morality of the American people."
The article said he "promised to find a way out of the current impasse around the planned center, which opponents say is insensitive to the memory of 9/11 and which supporters say sends the opposite message, that Muslims, like other Americans, object to and were victims of the attacks."
"Everything is on the table," he said, adding that "We really are focused on solving it" in a way that will be best for everyone concerned, he added. "I give you my pledge," according to the article.
He told the meeting that it was "absolutely disingenuous" to say that "that block is hallowed ground," noting that the block of office buildings two blocks from ground zero includes a bar (the Dakota Roadhouse), and an off-track betting office; a strip club is nearby, the article said.
He did not specify what compromises or measures might be part of the solution, the article continued, "although he welcomed what he said was a flood of good will and advice being offered, and suggested that a deliberate pause in moving forward was one possibility."
The article said that the center's planners are "mainly focused on addressing the furor, and the project still lacks blueprints, an architect or funds for the $100 million construction, let alone its ambitious programming, said to include athletics, cultural programs, interfaith dialogues and more."
The imam does not control the location of the center - the real estate developer Sharif el-Gamal does, and he and his supporters have said a move would not satisfy critics. He did thank "those who have voiced their objections to our plans with civility, with respect and with open minds and hearts," adding, "You affirm my belief in the decency and the morality of the American people."
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
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