Mosque being built by 911 sight - Essay Example

The panic created by the 9/11 incident was slowly disappearing at present. However, reports about the construction of a mosque at ground zero are causing disturbances to the Americans at present. Chelsea Schilling (2011) has pointed out that “a new Islamic mosque will open its doors just steps from Ground Zero where Muslim terrorists murdered 2,751 people in the name of Allah on Sept. 11, 2001 (Schilling). There are different opinions about the construction of a mosque near ground zero. This paper argues against the construction of a mosque at 9/11 site.

Supporters of mosque construction at ground zero argue that since America is a secular democratic country, Muslims have the right to construct a mosque anywhere in America. They are of the opinion that building a mosque at 9/11 site will improve the credentials of America as a secular nation. The above argument seems to be illogical. America’s secular credentials are already established since Americans shown no hesitation in electing a president of Muslim origin even after the 9/11 incident.

The current president Obama has Muslim origins. It should be note that the in India which is believed to be one of the largest secular democracies in the world, the Hindu fundamentalists opposed the election of Sonia Gandhi as their prime minister. It should also be noted that the “leading imam, who conducts sensitivity training sessions for the FBI, has reportedly blamed Christians for starting mass attacks on civilians” (Schilling). In other words the Muslim community in America still has no regards to the victims of 9/11 incident and it is difficult to expect mercy from them in future also.

The second argument in favor of constructing of a mosque at ground zero is that a Mosque at ground zero will help America to regain the lost confidence of Muslim community in America. Many people believe that a mosque at ground zero is the positive sign in strengthening America’s relations with the Muslim world. The above argument is also meaningless. It should be noted that there are many mosques functioning at different parts of America. Moreover, none of the mosques in America suffered any damages even after the destruction of world trade centre and the killing of thousands of innocent people.

“Many have complained that it would be insensitive to have a huge mosque two blocks from the site that became the burial ground for victims of the 9/11 terror attack by Muslim militants of Al Qaeda”(Sanchez). Nothing more can be done to the relatives of the victims of 9/11 incident as a harassment, if the authorities go ahead with the construction of the mosque. According to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg “the mosque will help to bring our city even closer together and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any way consistent with Islam" (Loffee).

American leaders are trying to strengthen the relationships with the Islamic community in a diplomatic manner. However, they are forgetting the fact that diplomacy will never win over fundamentalism. Strengthening Islamic culture in New York like big city will make different citizens in New York. Muslims will try to enforce their religious beliefs even in their social life which may create problems to other religions. Shariah laws, which are the fundamental laws of Muslim belief, will be enforced in Islamic culture and the effects of these laws may reflect in the life of other people as well. In