Mosque developer says he won't relocate

[maddezmom]

Source: WABC

ALBANY, N.Y. (WABC) -- The developer of the planned mosque and cultural center near ground zero says he has no plans to move. And the heated debate over the issue shows no signs of quieting.


No formal talks have been scheduled, but New York Governor David Paterson seems intent to try and get the mosque project moved and stop the avalanche of controversy.

"We are nowhere near the World Trade Center site," developer Sharif El-Gamal said in an exclusive interview with NY1.


El-Gamal said he is happy to meet with Paterson to discuss the mosque he plans to build two blocks from ground zero, but he says he won't consider relocation.

The cultural center has sparked national debate about freedom of religion and has become a political hot-button issue. Republicans are slamming President Barack Obama as insensitive to 9/11 victims for coming out in support of Muslims having the right to build a mosque where they choose.



Read more: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=7615993

[murray hill farm]

1. Glad to hear this!!

It would set a bad precedent to give into this mess. Plus, it looks like the area needs the center...and the beautiful building restoration that is planned.

[aquart]

2. Ah, peace and love!

Ain't it grand!

[NBachers]

3. "Republicans are slamming President Barack Obama as insensitive to 9/11 victims"

Too bad republicans aren't as sensitive to the First Responders and their families.

Where's the media furor over that?

[Ganja Ninja]

4. Nobody, not Obama or anyone else has the power to do anything about this.

It's a first amendment issue. So how does that make him insensitive? :shrug:

I swear at some point we are going to have to fight the right wing for our very lives.

[Jennicut]

8. That darn Constitution just getting in the way once again!

Obama said nothing controversial...unless some don't believe in the first Amendment.

[hootinholler]

9. See you on the barricades! n/t

[47of74]

7. And since when did the GOP give a DAMN about 9/11 victims?

Only time they do is when it works to their advantage.

[SkyDaddy7]

5. EXCELLENT!

Christians just need to understand what Freedom of Religion really means! It sickens me the press is more concerned about trashing Obama than it is covering the fact that we have a Constitution in this country!

This has more to do with religion than anything else! Or there would not be protest in multiple states over the building of mosque! Just recently in Georgia a mosque was denied a permit to build because a bunch people were screaming & crying...The excuse given was it would cause to much traffic! However, the 15,000 seat or bigger Christian mega churches on every block are fine!

[Karenina]

6. GOOD!

[pinboy3niner]

10. K&R

:kick:

[Warpy]

11. Good, I was hoping that glee yesterday from anti American bigots

was premature. I had a sneaking suspicion it was.

There is no reason for them to change their plans. The zoning board has approved it and they are constitutionally protected.

To hell with the bigots. Let them seethe and reap the consequences of hardened arteries and crippled digestions.

[gvstn]

12. In ten years people will wonder what all the fuss was about.

It is sad that anyone can't distinguish between the countless followers of Islam and a few groupies of Bin Laden.

It is disgusting that every politician in this country isn't standing up for these developers.

The very fundamental pillars of what made this country great are being eroded by pettiness. We have lost the moral high ground all in a knee jerk reaction to 9/11. Instead of calming down and reasserting our true beliefs we keep dismantling our freedoms.

Fear has taken over. And our politicians are the most spineless cowards I can imagine. If we recover history won't be kind to this bunch of losers.