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Argument: Ground zero mosque disrespects 9/11 victims

Issue Report: Ground zero mosque

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Abraham Foxman. “The Mosque at Ground Zero.” National Director of the Anti-Defamation League. August 2nd, 2010: “To us, after much discussion and debate it became clear that the overriding concern should be the sensitivities of the families of the victims that dictated finding another location for this massive, $100 million project. […] At its essence, our position is about sensitivity. Everyone — victims, opponents and proponents alike — must pay attention to the sensitivities involved without giving in to appeals to, or accusations of, bigotry. Ultimately, this was not a question of rights, but a question of what is right. In our judgment, building an Islamic Center in the shadow of the World Trade Center would unnecessarily cause some victims more pain. And that wasn’t right.”

One group, 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong America, calls Cordoba House “a gross insult to the memory of those who were killed on that terrible day.”[1]

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) said in August of 2010: “I’m strongly opposed to the idea of putting a mosque anywhere near Ground Zero-I think it’s inappropriate. I believe that 3,000 of our fellow innocent citizens were killed in that area, and some ways from a patriotic standpoint, it’s hallowed ground, it’s sacred ground, and we should respect that. We shouldn’t have images or activities that degrade or disrespect that in any way.”[2]

C. Lee Hanson, whose son, Peter, was killed in the attacks: “When I look over there and see a mosque, it’s going to hurt. Build it someplace else.”[3]