the so-called "ground zero mosque"

so my friends and i have been discussing this and frankly, i am sick and tired of all the people who oppose the project but dont bother to check their facts.

first of all, the mosque isnt even going to be AT gorund zero - its a full two blocks away!  what is there is not ground zero, but an old abandoned burlington coat factory that was damaged from debris in the attacks.  so theres a huge hole in the controversy right there.

secondly, its not even going to technically a mosque.  the cordoba house (because thats what its ACTUALLY called) is designed to be an islamic community center, including a mosque but also an auditorium and a swimming pool.  kind of like a YMCA.

can you imagine what an enormous gesture of peace it would be though, if a mosque were actually being built at ground zero?  i think that would be the most beautiful gesture, especially in a country founded on the idea of religious freedom.  but no, people are so preoccupied with the misconception that islam in general is bad and evil.  listen up people, NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS!!  just like not all christians back in the 12th century were supporters of the crusades.  those who hijacked the planes on 9/11 were extremists, they were terrorists, and yes they were muslim.  but that does not automatically make all muslims extremists.  to think otherwise is ignorant and intolerant.

from Wikipedia: The specific location of the planned facility, so close to the World Trade Center “where a piece of the wreckage fell,” was a primary selling point for the Muslims who bought the building^. Abdul Rauf said it “sends the opposite statement to what happened on 9/11.” and “We want to push back against the extremists”.  

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