8E: 1st Amendment- Ground Zero Mosque and Freedom of Religion
Question: “Should an Islamic community center have permission to be built two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks?”
Yes it should be allowed
Side Score: 25
|
 |
No, it should not
Side Score: 40
|
|
|
|
|
President Barack Obama quoted "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable.” Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
I completely agree. Muslims have every single right to do so, however we question if it is appropriate to do so. We are not against the building of the community centre but rather the location of it. On this very day thousands of people have died. People are perturbed and we must acknowledge the emotional sensibility if we build it. Hence we don't build a shinto shrine at Pearl harbor Side: No, it should not
Many Muslims and even Non-Muslim supporters of the construction state that the main reason of the construction is for peace and ways to strengthen the relation between the Muslims and Non-Muslims of the United States. Islam is a religion that preaches peace. It is their right to build wherever they please. “Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.” -Barack Obama “Let us not forget that Muslims were among those murdered on 9/11, and that our Muslim neighbours grieved with us as New Yorkers and as Americans. We would betray our values and play into our enemies’ hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else. In fact, to cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists, and we should not stand for that." - Michael Bloomberg Side: Yes it should be allowed
What exactly makes it inappropriate? Not only has the Mayor of New York himself state that he supports the construction, president of the United States, Obama himself, also had come out during a conference talking about the mosque, saying that he fully supports the construction as well. While it was sad for the deaths of the thousands of people, not building the mosque won't bring them back to life, will it? Sources: Side: Yes it should be allowed
New Yorks mayor Michael Bloomberg stated: "Democracy is stronger than this. You know the ability to practice your religion was one of the real reasons America was founded." Many people support this quote. Sources: Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
We completely agree, but why can't the centre be built somewhere else. Why this exact location? One of the points we would like to argue is that building it here might give extremist/radical muslims the idea that they have defeated the West and are stronger after the 911 attack. Do you really want the terrorists to think/believe this? Side: No, it should not
Many Muslims and even Non-Muslim supporters of the construction state that the main reason of the construction is for peace and ways to strengthen the relation between the Muslims and Non-Muslims of the United States. Sources: Side: Yes it should be allowed
Many people, who despite losing the people they love due to the terrorist attack, also agree that Muslims have the fair and legal right to practice their religion freely and safely wherever they want, just like the other citizens of the United States of America. Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
http://www.aadilmalik.com/2011/11/ The center will be an “asset to the city”, and provide to the community a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, basketball court, 500-seat auditorium, a restaurant, a 9/11 memorial, child care facilities, and even a school for culinary arts. The planned center will not be located in the World Trade center site but not only that, the center will also not be a mosque. According to Islam, a mosque is a holy place that is devoted solely to worship. Park51 is simply a cultural center with a prayer room that in fact, is open to believers of all religions. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
1
point
We believe that there can always be more than one community center as this will help the society and economy by providing more jobs and more places for people to go. Why is it okay for the Jewish to build a community center near the site but it is not okay for muslims to build one that clearly states all religions are welcome. Is this a sign of discrimination? Side: No, it should not
Park51 calls back to the democracy, where people in the First Amendment are allowed by any cause to practice their religion freely, peacefully, and safely. It is the muslim communities right to build a mosque wherever they please. Islam is all about peace as stated in this verse. Many people believe that the mosque should be built such as Obama and Michael Bloomberg. The building is not just going to be a mosque, it is a community center that accepts other faiths to bring people together. The community center also has a 9/11 memorial, and the muslim community as a whole denounces the attacks and claims them ‘unislamic.’ “It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfill their promise when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and the steadfast in time of war; it is these who have proved truthful and it is these who are the God-fearing.” (Al Quran 2:178) http://www.aadilmalik.com/2011/11/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
Today, we debated why this mosque should be allowed to be built. While many people are against it, others, including important figures such as President Barack Obama and Michael Bloomberg, support the construction of the mosque, going back to how the First Amendment states that anyone can practice their religion safely and freely. Many others agree that it can take an area that is a sign of complete destruction into a new and improved area of peace and harmony. Side: Yes it should be allowed
0
points
What happened during 9/11 was a very tragic event, in which both Christian and Muslim families were affected. The American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) have denounced the 9/11 attacks and called the action “un-islamic”. The Imam of the community center that includes a mosque stated that, “So we're coming at it from the point of view of wanting to contribute to our society and to take that tragedy of 9/11 and turn it into something very peaceful and hopeful for all of us.” Many citizens as well as nations around the world, believe that it is the Muslim Communities first amendment right to build the mosque wherever they please, and practice their religion safely. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
0
points
A survey was taken asking the students (students were of mixed races/ethnicities) in Dubai American Academy if the students believe a community consisting of a mosque should be built two blocks away from the 9/11 attack site. From the final results, the data collected states that 80% of the students believe that muslims should have the right to build a community two blocks away from the 9/11 site and 30% believe otherwise. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
A relative of a victim Charles Wolf stated that: "Denying them the ability to build a mosque… would be like London denying the Roman Catholic Church the opportunity to build a church during the years of the IRA bombings." Quoted by a relative of a victim of the 9/11 attacks. President Obama stated that the muslims community have the right to build their mosque wherever they please. "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practise their religion as everyone else in this country. "That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable." Source: http://www.slate.com/articles/newsandpolitics/framegame/2010/08/islamisgroundzero.html Side: Yes it should be allowed
|
6
points
On September 9th, 2001, 4 passenger airliners were hijacked by 19 Al Qaeda members to be flown into buildings in suicide attacks. 2 of the airplanes were flown into the World Trade Centre and one was crashed into the Pentagon. 14 years later, people have still not overcome the great tragedy that many love ones died from. The Cordoba Initiative Group plan to build a community centre 2 blocks away from Ground Zero, the site of 911. Building an Islamic community centre 2 blocks away from the World Trade Centre on hallowed ground is clearly not what many want. The Islamic Community Centre should not be built 2 blocks away from the World Trade Centre or anywhere close to it. The 9/11 attack was one of the largest American attack in history and is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims who died during the day of 9/11. We do not oppose the building of the community centre and the mosque but rather the location of where it is being built. We plan to argue on these points: If The Community’s centre’s goal is to unite people from different faiths, but this centre will not be used by non muslims as they oppose it, so how will this bring faiths together? We do not know the real intentions of the community centre and argue that this community centre might be supporting terrorism. Allowing it to be built might give radical and extremist muslims a different picture. It might give them the idea that they have defeated the West and are stronger. This communtiy centre can potentially become a centre for those who promote terrorism and promote the Islamization of America. We strongly protest and oppose the Islamic community centre and mosque that is being built on hallowed ground, 2 blocks away from the location of one of the largest terrorist attacks in the country of US that was caused by extremist Muslims themselves. Side: No, it should not
Islam is a religion that preaches peace. The Imam of a torched mosque in Houston, Texas has responded to the islamophobia with love. If muslims are this peaceful, then why would they not be allowed to build a mosque next to the 9/11 attacks. Muslims died in the extremist attack on 9/11, and the American Muslim Political Coordination Council (AMPCC) have denounced the 9/11 attacks and called it the action “un-islamic”. The AMPCC statement read, "American Muslims utterly condemn what are apparently vicious and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. We join with all Americans in calling for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators. No political cause could ever be assisted by such immoral acts." http://www.islamicity.com/articles/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
It is strictly the Muslims Community's right to build a mosque wherever they please. Going against the building of the mosque would go against the constitution. The first amendment in the constitution clearly states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. “ Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
In conclusion we don't dislike muslims or the community center it is location that is chosen that we dislike. In addition why would they want to build the centre if so many oppose it. Who are the people who want to build it, terrorists. We don't know the intentions of the centre. Side: No, it should not
1
point
The group has the legal right to build there, but they should exercise discretion in choosing their location. The group that wants to build a mosque at ground zero has the legal right to build it there. But, they are showing remarkably poor judgment in choosing that location. It shows incredible insensitivity to the families of the victims that were killed by Muslim extremists. Imagine how the Muslim world would react if Christians tried to build a chapel outside the holy sites at Mecca. The building would be destroyed, and the people there would probably be badly injured or killed. (http://www.debate.org/opinions/ Side: No, it should not
-The Muslim community center is a major economic investment that will pump over $100 million in infrastructure into lower Manhattan and will create as many as 150 full-time and 500 part-time jobs in an area that desperately needs it - Muslims have the same right to build a house of worship in Lower Manhattan and to pray for the victims of 9/11 as any other group. Approximately 60 Muslims were murdered in the 9/11 attacks. - The Park51 project allows Muslims to remind Americans that the destruction that struck the Twin Towers does not represent Islam. Al-Qaeda was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, not Islam. As filmmaker Michael Moore posted on his blog, "Blaming a whole group for the actions of just one of that group is anti-American. Timothy McVeigh was Catholic. Should Oklahoma City prohibit the building of a Catholic Church near the site of the former federal building that McVeigh blew up?" Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
There is a specific reason for why the mosque is being built in that location. The Muslims who are planning the building of the mosque state that they are trying to take an area which is seen as a location of catastrophe, into one of peace and unity with the building of the mosque. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
0
points
Muslims have the same right to build a house of worship in Lower Manhattan and to pray for the victims of 9/11 as any other group. Approximately 60 Muslims were murdered in the 9/11 attacks. This absolutely does not show insensitivity to the families. Where was the sensitivity when 50,000 civilians were killed in Afghanistan by the american army? Where was the sensitivity when American government opened up their weaponry to the Israeli army to kill more children and civilians? Sensitivity is not the issue considering many muslims died during the attack. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
1
point
Barak Obama did state that the Muslims are allowed to build the community centre but he did not comment if it was appropriate to do so. Our first point is that although the Muslims have the first amendment right to build what they want on their private property and the freedom of religion, we argue that it is not ethical to do so. "President Obama is wrong," said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. "It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero." Many victims and family members say that they do not support the mosque to be built on a place where thousands have been killed by muslims themselves, whether or not they are extremist or moderate. It is wrong. JIM RICHES, former deputy chief, FDNY: They can have their mosque, but have it somewhere else. I don’t want it overlooking the site where my son was murdered that day by 19 Muslim terrorists. Side: No, it should not
1
point
While Barack Obama never exactly stated that it was appropriate, he did simply state it into different words. Saying that it is completely fine to build the mosque there is basically saying that it is appropriate for it to be built there. Source: http://2012election.procon.org/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
No, he said they had every right... please read this link "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country," Obama said at a White House ceremony last summer that marked the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. "That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances." But in a visit to the Gulf Coast, Obama later dialed back saying that he supported the Muslims community's right to build the mosque, but was not sure it was a good idea to build so close to Ground Zero. http://abcnews.go.com/US/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
Stated from this: -http://abcnews.go.com/US/ Side: No, it should not
A survey was taken asking the students (students were of mixed races/ethnicities) in Dubai American Academy if the students believe a community consisting of a mosque should be built two blocks away from the 9/11 attack site. From the final results, the data collected states that 80% of the students believe that muslims should have the right to build a community two blocks away from the 9/11 site and 30% believe otherwise. https://docs.google.com/document/d/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
We are not talking about DAA here, we are talking about the whole American nation being and in especially New York where thousands of people where affected by 9/11. Now about 70% of New York opposes and states that there should not be a Mosque next to the site of 9/11 Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
Our second point regards the democracy of the nation. Some may argue that building the community centre would strengthen democracy. This is completely wrong. When there is a significant number of people who do not want to build the community centre than we as a democratic nation must acknowledge this. It is not that the Muslims can not build the mosque but the fact we shouldn't because we acknowledge the emotional sensibility of doing so. We should not build a community centre on the grave site of thousand of innocent people. For me, that’s my mother’s grave site. It’s plain, as simple as that.And I — I appreciate the fact that they are building a memorial and a museum. And I don’t care how tall it is. It could be one story or 13 stories. I do not like it to be close, because so many people of different faiths also lost their lives. If that’s so, then we should build a temple and a church around it, too. And what about other people, Hindus and Baha’is, everybody else that was on that plane that died. -people are considering it to be a grave site. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/ Side: No, it should not
0
points
http://wtcmuslimcenter.procon.org/ The Muslim community center is a major economic investment that will pump over $100 million in infrastructure into lower Manhattan and will create as many as 150 full-time and 500 part-time jobs in an area that desperately needs it Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
1
point
Muslim community center is so close to the site where radical Muslims killed about 2,750 people is as much a political statement as a religious gesture, and have demanded that developers find a different location.Bill Doyle, whose 25-year-old son, Joseph, was killed in the attacks, said many families who lost loved ones at the site were “incensed” about the mosque, viewing it as a tribute to the terrorists behind the hijackings. Part of their anger stems from their broader frustration over redevelopment of the site, and plans for a memorial that would be located beneath street level. “High up in the air you have a 13-story mosque, outshining the memorial itself,” Mr. Doyle said. “It’s almost a slap in the face.” (http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
The Cordoba Initiative Group have stated that they are building the community centre to strengthen and unite people from different faiths. Our third point is that how will it unite people if most people will not use it because they do not support the building of the community centre. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/ A CNN/Opinion Research poll released this week found that nearly 70 percent of Americans opposed the mosque plan while just 30 percent approved. A number of Democratic politicians have shied away from the controversy. Since people oppose the building of the community centre than only muslims will use the centre, than how will the centre be used by people from different faiths and unite them. The Cordoba Initiative Group must rethink and build the centre somewhere else so it is actually used by others and bring people together. This way people would be happy and appreciate the Cordoba initiative group. Side: No, it should not
0
points
As I have previously stated The center will be an “asset to the city”, and provide to the community a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, basketball court, 500-seat auditorium, a restaurant, a 9/11 memorial, child care facilities, and even a school for culinary arts. The planned center will not be located in the World Trade center site but not only that, the center will also not be a mosque. According to Islam, a mosque is a holy place that is devoted solely to worship. Park51 is simply a cultural center with a prayer room that in fact, is open to believers of all religions. http://www.aadilmalik.com/2011/11/ Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
1
point
Do your hear that? It’s the sound of no one caring. You're seriously talking about that people will benefit for a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, basketball court, 500-seat auditorium, a restaurant, a 9/11 memorial, child care facilities, and a school for culinary arts. Side: No, it should not
Now again, because we see a number of people who are perturbed by the site, we need to acknowledge it. In the inherent visceral of the event to victims, their families and even the rest of the nation and in how doing so belittles the event in which transpired there. The muslim community should be sensitive to the American people because of the tragic day of 9/11 where about 2,750 died. Side: No, it should not
1
point
How do we know the intentions of this community centre? The Turkish are doing this http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2013/ -The Mosque might promote radical and extremist Muslims to come to US and cause harm and terrorism in US Side: No, it should not
1
point
Jindal stressed “we don’t discriminate against anybody of any religion and certainly there are many Muslims that are proud patriotic Americans. That’s great.” But, he added, “it’s also true there are radical Muslims, Muslims that want to treat women as second-class citizens.” “There are those who want to use our freedoms to undermine the freedoms of others. It makes no sense to let those types of folks come into our country. It is just common sense. The question I’ll specifically ask for example is would I be for allowing ISIS members to come to America? Why would I want to allow people who want to kill Americans to come to America?” Jindal said. Side: No, it should not
Like I stated before in my quote on the Quran. Islam is a religion that preaches peace, not one that harbours extremists and radicals. Can you please show me a source where a mosque has harboured terrorists in New York. I have never seen that happen before. Also we are not talking about what the Turkish are doing, we are talking about the community center in New York. We wouldn't want to infringe on the sovereignty of Turkey, we are talking about America. Side: Yes it should be allowed
1
point
“I just don’t understand why people who are supposedly building a mosque to talk about tolerance and interfaith understanding could be so un-understanding of the feelings of those of us who were there on Sept. 11,” he told Newsmax TV. He continued: “It’s not about religious freedom, it’s about putting a facility that is inappropriate so close to Ground Zero,” he said. “This is not about being anti-Muslim.” http://www.religionnews.com/2015/05/28/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
1
point
This Mosque might be there to promote peace which is fine, but being a Muslim myself I believe that so many people have suffered and have been affected from the 911 attacks. People oppose the plan. How will the centre promote peace and fight terrorism? Ground Zero is one place in America where muslims should just forget about promoting Islam’s peace message and instead act like real American’s and recognise the area as an emotional and hallowed place. They should put their duty as an American first, for once and recognise the harm it brought to many people. Side: No, it should not
1
point
"I'm ashamed to be an American today," said Rakif Gathwari, a Muslim-American who reminded the crowd that people from many countries and religions died in the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. "I want to prove to this hall that I am a citizen," Gathwari said, holding up his passport. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
First of all, this is not a mosque, it is a community center that allows all religions to come and practice their faiths. This community provides facilities that are needed and will be an asset to the city. Second if you are trying to say real American's discriminate against religions then that is an incorrect statement because as it states in the first amendment that everybody has the right to practice their religion wherever they please in America. Nobody's "opinion" can make them stop. Side: Yes it should be allowed
Jindal, a potential 2016 candidate, recently said “we shouldn’t tolerate those who want to come and try to impose some variant or some version of Sharia law.” Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal also proposed that to restrict immigration of Muslims who promote sharia law isn't religious discrimination but protecting the freedoms of all Americans. Side: No, it should not
1
point
Rudy Giuliani, JD, former Mayor of New York City, stated in an Aug. 2, 2010 interview on the Jeff Katz radio show: "Not only is [the proposed location] exactly the wrong place, right at ground zero, but it’s a mosque supported by an imam who has a record of support for causes that were sympathetic with terrorism.This is a desecration. Nobody would allow something like that at Pearl Harbor. Let’s have some respect for who died there and why they died there. Let's not put this off on some kind of politically correct theory.[People] died there because of Islamic extremist terrorism. Islamic extremists are our enemy... [Opposition to the mosque] will not and should not insult any decent Muslim." http://www.google.com/ Side: No, it should not
The former may think that, but the current one doesn't. Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated: "Democracy is stronger than this. You know the ability to practice your religion was one of the real reasons America was founded." Source: Side: Yes it should be allowed
Here you could see a quote that really touched me and really means that their shouldn't be a mosque next to the Ground Zero Mosque: NEDA BOLOURCHI: For me, that’s my mother’s grave site. It’s plain, as simple as that.And I — I appreciate the fact that they are building a memorial and a museum. And I don’t care how tall it is. It could be one story or 13 stories. I do not like it to be close, because so many people of different faiths also lost their lives. If that’s so, then we should build a temple and a church around it, too. And what about other people, Hindus and Baha’is, everybody else that was on that plane that died.
Supporting Evidence:
Do muslims have the right to build a mosque next to the 9/11 site?
(www.takeonit.com)
Side: No, it should not
1
point
Stop the Islamization of America, an anti-radical Islam organization led by Pamela Geller, stated on its webpage titled "Protest the 911 Mega Mosque on Sunday June 6th," accessed Sep. 24, 2010: "Building the Ground Zero mosque is not an issue of religious freedom, but of resisting an effort to insult the victims of 9/11 and to establish a beachhead for political Islam and Islamic supremacism in New York. Ground Zero mosque imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is an open proponent of Sharia, Islamic law, a system that denies the freedom of speech, the freedom of conscience, and the equality of rights of all people before the law.Abdul Rauf has said that an Islamic state can be established in more then just a single form or mold. It can be established through a kingdom or a democracy. The important issue is to establish the general fundamentals of Shariah that are required to govern. Thus it is clear that this mosque will teach Sharia, Islamic supremacism, and the denial of basic rights." http://wtcmuslimcenter.procon.org/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
Another one of our points is that this community centre might be being built for supporting terrorism. We do not know the intentions of this centre. The centre could possibly be for promoting terrorism because why would the community centre be so set on building it in this particular location? The main goal of the radical and extremist Muslims is to islamize America.Do we want this, do we want the sharia Law in effect? http://www.billionbibles.org/sharia/ Side: No, it should not
1
point
Another one of our points is that this community centre might be being built for supporting terrorism. We do not know the intentions of this centre. The centre could possibly be for promoting terrorism because why would the community centre be so set on building it in this particular location? The main goal of the radical and extremist Muslims is to islamize America.Do we want this, do we want the sharia Law in effect? http://www.billionbibles.org/sharia/ Side: No, it should not
|
