Ground Zero Mosque

The 'Ground Zero Mosque' controversy centers on the planned construction of the Cordoba House, an Islamic community centre, two blocks away from where the World Trade Center once stood. Construction of the centre, which will include a swimming pool, gym, theatre, sports and prayer facilities, was approved by a New York City community board by a vote 29-1 in favour with 10 abstentions. Though the plan is also opposed by some members of the families of 9/11 victims, a campaign has been waged mainly by right wing Tea Party movement and Israel lobby-afilliated neoconservative groups to inflame passions in a series of ads, articles and public pronouncements. In the latest episode, former Republican governor of Alaska Sarah Palin has asked 'peace-seeking' Muslims to 'refudiate'[sic] the mosque. As of 21 July 2010, the campaign's facebook page (which is promoted by the English Defence League) has over 51,000 members.

Key Opponents

• English Defence League
• Sarah Palin
• Newt Gingrich
• M. Zuhdi Jasser
• Mark Williams - chairman of Tea Party Express has called Cordoba House 'a monument to 9/11 attacker.'
• Youssef M. Ibrahim
• Robert Spencer
• Middle East Forum - Raymond Ibrahim of MEF denounces the centre by drawing parallels with his own unique interpretation of Cordoba's history
• Anti-Defamation League -

Resources

• Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/no911mosque

Media Coverage

• Matthew Price, 'Controversy over Ground Zero mosque plans', BBC, 19 May 2010
• Harris Zafar, Ground Zero Mosque: A Muslim's Perspective, Huffington Post, 19 July 2010

Raymond Ibrahim, The Two Faces of the Ground Zero Mosque, Pajamas Media, 22 June 2010

Statement On Islamic Community Center Near Ground Zero, ADL Press Release, 28 July 2010