In a NYTimes op-ed, Feisal Abdul Rauf – also known as the Imam of the proposed Cordoba House Islamic Community Center in Manhattan – explains his feelings regarding the last few weeks of heated debate, and shares his intentions to continue with the project. If nothing else, Rauf shows himself to be quite the positive thinker. For all the potential damage done to US relations with Muslims around the world due to the loud voices of protest against the building plans, he emphasizes the better moments:
President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg both spoke out in support of our project. As I traveled overseas, I saw firsthand how their words and actions made a tremendous impact on the Muslim street and on Muslim leaders. It was striking: a Christian president and a Jewish mayor of New York supporting the rights of Muslims. Their statements sent a powerful message about what America stands for, and will be remembered as a milestone in improving American-Muslim relations.
The wonderful outpouring of support for our right to build this community center from across the social, religious and political spectrum seriously undermines the ability of anti-American radicals to recruit young, impressionable Muslims by falsely claiming that America persecutes Muslims for their faith.
Unfortunately, it's not been all an outpouring of support. Still, hopefully there have been as many positive developments as negative.
