Stereotypes of Muslims after 9/11 and the Ground Zero Mosque

“Plan for mosque near world trade center moves ahead,” New York Daily News 5/11/10
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The proposal of a mosque to be built near Ground Zero has received a variety of controversy from those who suffered loses from the 9/11 attacks. Although some members of the community find the plans to be offensive, the 12-member Community Board 1's financial district committee has unanimously voted to endorse the project and work will hopefully begin by the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Families who suffered from death of the terrorist attacks are the main group who oppose the building of the mosque. Ground Zero has become a site of sorrow and despair for anyone who had a loved one die on 9/11. The attacks have become one of the most remembered days of grief in the United States. To add a mosque only a few blocks from the scene of the crime, would greatly penetrate some people.

However, many of these community members who are against the mosque do not realize the link between Muslims and those who committed the terrorist acts in New York and Virginia. Although, those who did fly the planes into the World Trade Towers were deemed Muslim, it does not reflect the viewpoints or beliefs behind a religion of more than 1.6 billion people. It is not fair to judge an entire culture based on the acts of a few people.

The plans for the mosque should be treated just as fairly, as that of a church. The mosque will hopefully become a major asset to the community along with a place of worship for thousands of Muslims. The building will be open to all, and has in reality received little opposition from those who are informed. This mosque will hopefully build better relations between Muslims and the "West," and break down barriers that restrict cultures.

The mosque will be a 100 million dollar project and become a major place of worships for an expected 1,000 to 2,000 Muslims every friday. The building will also be a major asset to the community as it is open to all and contain a swimming pool, performing arts venue and basketball court. The opportunities are endless and relations will hopefully be able to prosper between the Muslims of the community and those who were initially against the project.

The mosque may seem to be an offensive action against some, but in reality is barely opposed by those who are educated. The mosque does not represent a slap in the face, but instead is a place for relationships and understandings to take place. If those who were against the plans were able to better educate themselves on the Islamic religion and open their minds, better relations would occur and the community would prosper.