Mosque Confrontation in New York
On Sunday, protesters against the construction of an Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero in New York confronted protesters in favor of the facility.
CNN reported that hundreds of critics and supporters of the proposed center in New York showed up despite an overcast and drizzly sky to express their views amid the national debate over the proposed mosque construction.
According to Police estimates,by 11:30 a.m. supporters of the center numbered up to 250, and critics numbered about 450.
The CNN report stated that a banner on the anti-center side said, “Land of the free. Stop sharia before it stops you.” Another sign read, “No mosque here. Preserve the dignity of our loved ones killed on 9/11.”
Freedom of religion was the main issue stressed by the pro-mosque demonstrators.
“I am hoping there will be a more thoughtful discussion and that people realize it is just wrong — it is un-American — to paint an entire religion by the action of a few extremists,” one supporter said.
The debate is over the pending construction of a mosque which will be built near where the World Trade Center was destroyed by Islamic extremists on September 11, 2001. The attacks killed more than 2,700 people.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released earlier this month marked nationwide opposition to the proposed facility at 68 percent.
According to CNN, On Sunday, Daisy Khan, who is heading the development of the project with her husband, said moving the project to another site is not under consideration for now.
