Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is speaking out strongly in support of the right of Muslims to build mosques, including the proposed Cordoba House near Ground Zero (my emphasis):
[I]f the Muslims own that property, that private property, and they want to build a mosque there, they should have the right to do so. The only question is are they being insensitive to those who suffered the loss of loved ones? We know there are Muslims killed on 9/11 too and we know it’s a great religion.But as far as their right to build that mosque, they have that right. …
There’s a question of whether it’s too close to the 9/11 area, but it’s a few blocks away, it isn’t right there. … And there’s a huge, I think, lack of support throughout the country for Islam to build that mosque there, but that should not make a difference if they decide to do it. I’d be the first to stand up for their rights.
