Monday, August 02, 2010

* Tolerance Does NOT Include Islam

The Anti-Defamation League's Statement On Islamic Community Center Near Ground Zero

New York, NY, July 28, 2010 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued the following statement regarding the proposed Islamic Center near Ground Zero in Manhattan:
We regard freedom of religion as a cornerstone of the American democracy, and that freedom must include the right of all Americans – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths – to build community centers and houses of worship.

We categorically reject appeals to bigotry on the basis of religion, and condemn those whose opposition to this proposed Islamic Center is a manifestation of such bigotry.

However, there are understandably strong passions and keen sensitivities surrounding the World Trade Center site. We are ever mindful of the tragedy which befell our nation there, the pain we all still feel – and especially the anguish of the families and friends of those who were killed on September 11, 2001.

The controversy which has emerged regarding the building of an Islamic Center at this location is counterproductive to the healing process. Therefore, under these unique circumstances, we believe the City of New York would be better served if an alternative location could be found.

In recommending that a different location be found for the Islamic Center, we are mindful that some legitimate questions have been raised about who is providing the funding to build it, and what connections, if any, its leaders might have with groups whose ideologies stand in contradiction to our shared values. These questions deserve a response, and we hope those backing the project will be transparent and forthcoming. But regardless of how they respond, the issue at stake is a broader one.

Proponents of the Islamic Center may have every right to build at this site, and may even have chosen the site to send a positive message about Islam. The bigotry some have expressed in attacking them is unfair, and wrong. But ultimately this is not a question of rights, but a question of what is right. In our judgment, building an Islamic Center in the shadow of the World Trade Center will cause some victims more pain – unnecessarily – and that is not right.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Maybe we should all make a point of stopping by the ADL contact page and letting them know you disagree - if, of course, you do. I did.
Your position on the Islamic community center and mosque proposed for New York City has made you a self-parody and seats you in the front of crowd of intolerance and hate that has been spewed by right wing media and well-known racists across the US. You should be ashamed. You have stripped yourselves of any credibility. "...to secure justice and fair treatment to all?" You should probably insert an asterisk to make clear that that position comes with a heaping helping of "However, ..."

5 comments:

Pearl said...

IN addition, it is my understanding that it is not on Ground Zero but several blocks away...

Why do I have a vision of a torch-bearing crowd running through the streets right now?

Pearl

Ashley Ashbee said...

Oh boy, "counterproductive"? "Not right"? These are perpetuations of ignorance. This action promotes intolerance, if you ask me, as it assumes there is something offensive and violent about Muslims, that they are trying to provoke non-Muslims and that their mere presence will inhibit the post-9/11 healing process.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Wow, this issue is getting so out of hand. I could understand the protest if the proposed mosque were right at Ground Zero, but it's not. Also, from anything I've read about that particular congregation, it seems pretty progressive and not one of these hard-core fundamentalist ones.

Randal Graves said...

I'm sad that it's not going to be directly on ground zero. I so long for the day where exploding heads prettify the landscape.

Ricky Shambles said...

Thanks for the comments! You're all right and win! The Mosque is only getting the "Ground Zero" buzz because that's how right wing bigots stir up support: by stirring up ignorance and hate. It is actually a couple blocks (like giant NYC blocks) away from xWTC.

I say f'em all and get a petition going to put the community center and mosque IN the new building ON ground zero - maybe the first 3 floors would be good?

At least if they do that we won't see it built in our lifetimes :\