I got in on the last flight from London on Tuesday, so I'm straight into things. Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf has written this in the NY Times about his proposed Park 51 project. And we're here to get closer to the discussion which finds its roots in downtown Manhattan but which has spread the world over. Follow us on twitter (Nuala, Ros, Mark).
Our plan is to start at Ground Zero with a construction worker, pass by a bar where many police and fire staff like to hang out, before walking to where the cultural centre will be and talking to customers at supermarket across the road.
Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf says the debate has become about Islam in America, and what Islam means for America - rather than about one building. Few would disagree with him on that front and we'll get into those issues.
One thought: Ron Paul, the Republican from Texas, argues Park 51 must go ahead as it's vital minorities are protected from the will of the majority. The counter-argument is that minorities must show respect to and a willingness to compromise with the majority. France and the restrictions Muslim women's attire is held up as an example to back up this latter argument.
Islam aside, and I appreciate putting Islam aside in this discussion isn't easy, there are broader issues here about how societies balance the beliefs and traditions of majorities and minorities. I'd be interested to get into that with you over the next few days
That''s all from Ground Zero - but WHYS is staying in New York for the next two days. See you at the same time tomorrow!
Comment sent via SMS
18:58
111598717
If koran burner thinks we are at war for religion, what kind of battle strategy is it to make your opponent mad with no strategic advancement at all?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:57
113631290
September McCrady - It should absolutely be built there. I found the points of view in O'Haras ironic-thinking back to NYC (and US) history of "No Irish Need Apply" exclusion based on ethnicity.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:55
114722092
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS how people view Muslims. No. There is too much ignorance, misconception and hatred that must be addressed. That can happen now
Comment sent via Twitter
18:54
114722092
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS the focus should not be on any building, not the mosque or the towers. THe building was just a symbol restoring it will not change
Comment sent via Facebook
18:50
113631290
Owen Erima - Cautiousness is not cotwardice. The red ant moves with it's mandibles ready to bite. Let's not pretend to please a group of people about this. THIS project should be blocked by all means.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:49
114676366
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS please tell Frank that constitutional rights aren't about winning popularity contests
Comment sent via YOURSAY
18:44
113631290
Anthony in the United States e-mailed - Let’s call a spade a spade. It doesn’t need to be here. There is no Muslim community to serve here. The $100 million is not from its worshipers. Its in the midst of all things Muslim’s consider evil and sinful. Would the IRA build a Catholic Church in an Orange neighborhood in downtown Dublin?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:43
113631290
Steven Hirlston - If we don't allow this Islamic cultural center to be built because it is too close to ground zero, then shouldn't we disallow any religious-affiliated buildings to be built near there? Of course not.
Comment sent via Twitter
18:42
114722050
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS Sura 5:51 - "O you who believe, do not take certain Jews and Christians as allies; these are allies of one another..." No Mosque.
Comment sent via SMS
18:39
108601535
There is no religious tolerance in most Muslim countries and in some conversion to Christianity is punishable by execution. Muslims believe all countries and people should be converted to Islam. They should not be allowed to build their ’Cultural Centre’ anywhere near Groud Zero. Eamonn in Kent.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:34
113631290
Tu Fengmei - While religious freedom is not to be compromised in the US, this mosque should not be built near Ground Zero simply because it makes people uncomfortable--it's not a political issue, it's personal.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:33
113631290
John Kevin Odande - bad idea to build it next to he site of the bombing...a bit insensitive...but the guys who deserve the blame r the officials who gave it the go ahead...what were they thinking?
Comment sent via Facebook
18:28
113631290
Ojaku Ben - The building of the Mosque near ground zero is likely to cause psychological torture to all peace loving Americans and i think that is exactly what the Islamic community is all up to!
Comment sent via SMS
18:28
114721967
that they were Muslim shouldn’t have any baring on the building of a mosque in the area 9 years later.
Comment sent via BLOG
18:27
113631290
Keith in Cleveland on the blog - John Stewart put it best - "If we put the mosque up, the Islamic extremists win!" But also "If we don't put it up, it shows that the terrorists have achieved their goal and confirms their opinions about Americans!". How about we stop caring what the extremists think?
Comment sent via SMS
18:25
114721967
Graham in Canada. I think what is often forgotten is that 911 was not an organized attack by regular Muslims. It was an attack by extremists. The fact
Comment sent via Facebook
18:23
113631290
John Kelly - So often in the last few years I've heard complaints tat there weren't enough "moderate Muslims" countering the extremists. Well here they are, and the bigots and the right-wing politicians who want to exploit anti-Muslim hysteria for perso...nal gain are now acting like these peaceful, moderate Sufis are no different than Al-Queda
Comment sent via Facebook
18:20
113631290
Derrick Namisi Siiya - Building a mosque in Ground Zero! God forbid, what message could it send to to the Islamic fundamentalists.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:19
113631290
Allison Corona - The speaker on the air seems to be saying that Ground Zero and Community center are going to be in the same location. It's close, but not the same location.
Comment sent via SMS
18:19
108646246
528110816592 - Islam did not destroy the twin towers, people destroyed the twin towers. Crazy people, as crazy as the fanatics of any other religion. I am an Atheist,
WHYS live from Ground Zero
| Wednesday, 9 Sept. 2010 | 18:00 - 19:00 GMT
I got in on the last flight from London on Tuesday, so I'm straight into things. Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf has written this in the NY Times about his proposed Park 51 project. And we're here to get closer to the discussion which finds its roots in downtown Manhattan but which has spread the world over.
Follow us on twitter (Nuala, Ros, Mark).
Our plan is to start at Ground Zero with a construction worker, pass by a bar where many police and fire staff like to hang out, before walking to where the cultural centre will be and talking to customers at supermarket across the road.
Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf says the debate has become about Islam in America, and what Islam means for America - rather than about one building. Few would disagree with him on that front and we'll get into those issues.
One thought: Ron Paul, the Republican from Texas, argues Park 51 must go ahead as it's vital minorities are protected from the will of the majority. The counter-argument is that minorities must show respect to and a willingness to compromise with the majority. France and the restrictions Muslim women's attire is held up as an example to back up this latter argument.
Islam aside, and I appreciate putting Islam aside in this discussion isn't easy, there are broader issues here about how societies balance the beliefs and traditions of majorities and minorities. I'd be interested to get into that with you over the next few days
Your comments
Comment sent via host
That''s all from Ground Zero - but WHYS is staying in New York for the next two days. See you at the same time tomorrow!
Comment sent via SMS
If koran burner thinks we are at war for religion, what kind of battle strategy is it to make your opponent mad with no strategic advancement at all?
Comment sent via Facebook
September McCrady - It should absolutely be built there. I found the points of view in O'Haras ironic-thinking back to NYC (and US) history of "No Irish Need Apply" exclusion based on ethnicity.
Comment sent via Twitter
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS how people view Muslims. No. There is too much ignorance, misconception and hatred that must be addressed. That can happen now
Comment sent via Twitter
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS the focus should not be on any building, not the mosque or the towers. THe building was just a symbol restoring it will not change
Comment sent via Facebook
Owen Erima - Cautiousness is not cotwardice. The red ant moves with it's mandibles ready to bite. Let's not pretend to please a group of people about this. THIS project should be blocked by all means.
Comment sent via Twitter
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS please tell Frank that constitutional rights aren't about winning popularity contests
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Anthony in the United States e-mailed - Let’s call a spade a spade. It doesn’t need to be here. There is no Muslim community to serve here. The $100 million is not from its worshipers. Its in the midst of all things Muslim’s consider evil and sinful. Would the IRA build a Catholic Church in an Orange neighborhood in downtown Dublin?
Comment sent via Facebook
Steven Hirlston - If we don't allow this Islamic cultural center to be built because it is too close to ground zero, then shouldn't we disallow any religious-affiliated buildings to be built near there? Of course not.
Comment sent via Twitter
@³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ_WHYS Sura 5:51 - "O you who believe, do not take certain Jews and Christians as allies; these are allies of one another..." No Mosque.
Comment sent via SMS
There is no religious tolerance in most Muslim countries and in some conversion to Christianity is punishable by execution. Muslims believe all countries and people should be converted to Islam. They should not be allowed to build their ’Cultural Centre’ anywhere near Groud Zero. Eamonn in Kent.
Comment sent via Facebook
Tu Fengmei - While religious freedom is not to be compromised in the US, this mosque should not be built near Ground Zero simply because it makes people uncomfortable--it's not a political issue, it's personal.
Comment sent via Facebook
John Kevin Odande - bad idea to build it next to he site of the bombing...a bit insensitive...but the guys who deserve the blame r the officials who gave it the go ahead...what were they thinking?
Comment sent via Facebook
Ojaku Ben - The building of the Mosque near ground zero is likely to cause psychological torture to all peace loving Americans and i think that is exactly what the Islamic community is all up to!
Comment sent via SMS
that they were Muslim shouldn’t have any baring on the building of a mosque in the area 9 years later.
Comment sent via BLOG
Keith in Cleveland on the blog - John Stewart put it best - "If we put the mosque up, the Islamic extremists win!" But also "If we don't put it up, it shows that the terrorists have achieved their goal and confirms their opinions about Americans!". How about we stop caring what the extremists think?
Comment sent via SMS
Graham in Canada. I think what is often forgotten is that 911 was not an organized attack by regular Muslims. It was an attack by extremists. The fact
Comment sent via Facebook
John Kelly - So often in the last few years I've heard complaints tat there weren't enough "moderate Muslims" countering the extremists. Well here they are, and the bigots and the right-wing politicians who want to exploit anti-Muslim hysteria for perso...nal gain are now acting like these peaceful, moderate Sufis are no different than Al-Queda
Comment sent via Facebook
Derrick Namisi Siiya - Building a mosque in Ground Zero! God forbid, what message could it send to to the Islamic fundamentalists.
Comment sent via Facebook
Allison Corona - The speaker on the air seems to be saying that Ground Zero and Community center are going to be in the same location. It's close, but not the same location.
Comment sent via SMS
528110816592 - Islam did not destroy the twin towers, people destroyed the twin towers. Crazy people, as crazy as the fanatics of any other religion. I am an Atheist,