In New York, New York, two blocks away from Ground Zero, there is an abandoned building that used to be a Burlington Coat Factory. The thirteen story building was bought by a Muslim community, which plans on renovating it into a “YMCA” style center with a prayer chapel inside. Soon after the plans went underway, debate arose and protests began. Some people didn’t want this abandoned building to become a community center for Muslims, thus asking the government to step in and vote against it.

“The Cordoba Initiative” has been turning heads all around the world for quite some time. It has only been recently that people have become more active, however, due to the fact that the actual building day grows closer. Many people have been skeptical about this topic, mostly because they don’t know all the facts. Therefore, I have researched tons of blogs and news pages to get several points of view on this argument, and have made it easy to get straight to the point.

Many people are opposed to the idea of a “mosque” being built so close to Ground Zero, and have somewhat valid points. Many say it’s disrespectful and does not need to be built within such a small range. Most usually, however, are saying negative comments because it is of a Muslim religion, and “they are purposefully choosing this building so they can rub it in our faces” about the attack on Sept. 11 (Hewitt 1). Hewitt continues in his speech to say that it is “holy ground” and refuses to be a bystander in this issue without expressing his views. Hewitt, as well as other opposers, feel that the “Ground Zero Mosque” is a slap in the face to America; they believe Islamic politicians chose this place to pour salt on the open wound of our hearts. Danielle Parker, a print journalist, has used her voice in the media to lead America to believe that the “mosque” will be named “Cordoba” because of the history of the Cordoba Mosque in Spain, which was built in place of a Roman Catholic Church that was destroyed by “the Moors…to commemorate their victory….”

The Muslims have several supporters however, despite what most believe. Many of the supporters say they have the right to build a “mosque” wherever they please, and that it’s not strictly a mosque. Supporters also believe it is against civil rights to ask them to move just because of their religion. Although many opposers say they are not discriminating, those who are in favor of Park51 say they are being singled out, mainly because they are of the same religion of the radicals who are to blame for the attack. Pro-Park51 members are not terrorists, and feel this community center could bring people closer together. For example, according to the group’s website, the Cordoba Initiative, also known as Park51, is a community center that plans on including restaurants, a swimming pool, bookstores, a 500-seat auditorium, and space for art exhibits (Goldman). It’s not just a “mosque”, as most consider it to be. Also, the building is not at Ground Zero, it is a whole 2 blocks away. In the same range from the fallen towers, there are three other religious buildings. The “hallowed ground” that many opposers are struggling to protect is also filled with other businesses, such as McDonald’s and various pubs, and questions about why that is so remain unanswered.