Ground Zero Mosque: Right wing war with American Islam

A proposal to build an Islamic Center two blocks from the World Trade Center site has galvanized those who blame all Muslims for the 911 attacks. It now  seems the whole country has chosen to weigh in on a  lower Manhattan zoning issue.

Republican senators and other right-wing leaders have decided in recent days to make the construction of Cordoba House a fall campaign issue.  While many leaders , such as Mayor Michael Bloomberg have taken pains over the years to say that America is not at war with Islam, these leaders determined to wage that war against Muslim Americans.

If  Muslim New Yorkers were more sensitive, the argument goes, they would accept blame for the actions of terrorists, and  at least keep out of sight.  They should be more aware of the painful reminder their presence inflicts on people across the country who have chosen to rush to the barricades over the planned  demolition of a dilapidated building that once housed Burlington Coat Factory.

The New York Landmark Preservation Commission decided that the  decrepit Park Place building did not qualify as a landmark and decided to allow the construction of Cordoba House, which would house a cultural center, an auditorium and a mosque.

Rep. Peter King King has been in the forefront of the right’s attempt to demonize all followers of the Muslim faith.

“It’s insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero,” said King, who in the past has referred to Muslims as ‘the enemy living among us,” and claimed that “we have too many mosques in this country already.”

Republican political leaders who see an opportunity to create yet another polarizing issue to run on to regain their power in November. King, Newt Gingrich, John Cornyn, and Sarah Palin are ready bring their war out into the open, regardless of the consequences.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his wife Daisy Khan are leading the Cordoba House project. They have been outspoken representatives of moderate Islam. “Park 51 will be a home for all people who are yearning for understanding and healing, peace, collaboration, and interdependence,” the couple said in a recent statement. ” We are creating a new space where fresh stories of cooperation and service will reflect the living vibrancy of inter-connected communities.”

Rauf has lead delegations to the Muslim world on behalf President George W. Bush to talk about Islam in America, in an attempt to showcase America’s religious tolerance, and to show that our wars in two Muslim countries are not intended to be an attack on Islam itself. Thanks to King and others, Rauf is running out of time to make that argument.