Ground Zero Mosque
The 'Ground Zero Mosque' controversy centers on the planned construction of the Cordoba House, an Islamic community centre, two blocks away from where the World Trade Center once stood. Construction of the centre, which will include a swimming pool, gym, theatre, sports and prayer facilities, was approved by a New York City community board by a vote 29-1 in favour with 10 abstentions. Though the plan is also opposed by some members of the families of 9/11 victims, a campaign has been waged mainly by right wing Tea Party movement and Israel lobby-afiliated neoconservative groups to inflame passions in a series of ads, articles and public pronouncements. In the latest episode, former Republican governor of Alaska Sarah Palin has asked 'peace-seeking' Muslims to 'refudiate'[sic] the mosque.
Key Figures
- Sarah Palin
- M. Zuhdi Jasser
- Mark Williams - chairman of Tea Party Express has called Cordoba House 'a monument to 9/11 attacker.'
- Robert Spencer
Resources
Media Coverage
- Matthew Price, 'Controversy over Ground Zero mosque plans', BBC, 19 May 2010
- Harris Zafar, Ground Zero Mosque: A Muslim's Perspective, Huffington Post, 19 July 2010
