|
hertz -> RE: A different POV on the Mosque (9/12/2010 9:58:29 AM)
|
It is perfectly reasonable for a Muslim to share your point of view - that building an Islamic Cultural centre two blocks away from Ground Zero is inappropriate. It is possible that in exactly the same way as you are wrong, he too, is wrong.
In your article, the Muslim scholar Dr. Zuhdi Jasser says 'the Islamic Center as conceived is more about making a political statement that will seriously divide communities than about bringing them together'. It's an opinion looking for some evidence - I'm not sure whether the article puts that evidence forward. I couldn't see it. Maybe you can explain how the building of a centre dedicated to interfaith dialogue and peace is a political act?
The opposing view is that the Islamic Centre is about peace and reconciliation - this is the expressed purpose of it as put forward by the people who propose to actually build it. I can't see any reason to doubt that claim. Maybe you can explain why the builders of the centre are incorrect when they claim it is about peace and interfaith dialogue?
For what it's worth, I don't think the belief that the centre should not be built is, of itself, Islamophobic or racist, nor is it necessarily a sign of intolerance and/or bigotry. The problem is that many of those who oppose the building support their argument with some pretty crass and ignorant statements about Islam and the meaning of the centre. One only has to look at what the Reverend Jones has to say about Islam to see that.
As this thing goes on, I have to admit to struggling with the whole idea myself. It's not wrong to build it, in my view, but I am beginning to think that proceeding might not further the cause of 'peace and interfaith dialogue', and it might be better not to build it, even if that means the bigots triumph. That isn't the fault of the proposed centre, nor is it the fault of the Muslims who want to build it. It's the fault of the bigots and intolerant dirt-bags who have poisoned the whole venture with their stupidity. In fact, I might even go further and suggest that Jasser is correct when he describes building the centre as a 'political act', because now it clearly is a political act, whatever the original intention was. And again, I lay the blame for this at the feet of the bigots, like the Reverend Jones, who have turned this into an argument about politics.
Bottom line? In order to be accused of Islamophobia or bigotry, I think a person needs to do more than simply be against the Islamic Centre. I'd be interested in looking at their motivation as well. I have no doubt that the Reverend Jones is a bigot. I think Dr. Zuhdi Jasser is probably not.
|
|
|
|
