New York Activist - Debating Park 51 - Research Paper Example

Debating Park 51 The first amendment of the United s of America s that ‘congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances’ (Fessenden 7). The significance of the first amendment to the Park 51 debate remains undeniable. The debate revolves around the construction of an Islamic Community Center on the 51 Park place in Lower Manhattan in New York. The major problem arising from this construction is its proximity to the World Trade Center site. The World Trade Center site is under construction to replace the building lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Islamic extremists claimed responsibility of the 9/11 attack that killed over 2500 people. Therefore, the majority of American citizens dispute the construction of an Islamic center two blocks away from the terrorist scene. The Cordoba Initiative, responsible for the construction of the Islamic Community Center aims to create a place where all the religions interact. The 16 story building contains a 2 story prayer space open to anyone from any religion. People supporting the construction of the building argue using a constitutional point. They believe that the first amendment of the constitution allows the Muslims to construct a mosque or a community center in America (Fessenden 11). The supporters also view the community center as an avenue for healing and reconciliation after the events of 9/11. However, the opponents of the construction of the Islamic Center argue appealing to an emotional point of view. The opponents feel that the building displays insensitivity and disrespect to 9/11 victims. They think that the surrounding territory around the World Trade Center should remain a sacred place of mourning for lives lost, without the irritating presence of a mosque. The spiritual leader of the Islamic community center, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, also raises controversy. While the leader professes to be a moderate Muslim, he appears to support Muslim extremists. His protection of Muslim extremist in public on many occasions raises questions about his good intentions. Imam Rauf attended a CNN interview conducted by Soledad O’Brien. In the interview he seemed evasive on the issue of the Hamas (Butler, Grant and Randall 24). He failed to clearly state whether he thought their acts were terrorist or not. Newt Gingrich commented on the issue of Park 51 saying, “Nazis don’t have a right to put up a sign next to the Holocaust Museum in Washington”. This comment found its way into an article by Timothy Garton Ash in the Guardian Newspaper. However, the proponents of the building responded by pointing out an incident of 1977. At the time, neo-Nazis peacefully demonstrated in a holocaust survivor’s occupied neighborhood. This happened with the authorization of the United States Supreme Court respecting the constitution’s first amendment. The opinion polls in America proved that 61% of Americans and 77% of New York residents opposed the construction of a mosque on the territory next to Park 51. Proponents insist the community center, which will also have a gym, culinary school, restaurant, swimming court, basketball court, child care facilities and a library among others, affirms America is a free country that respects its constitution. Meanwhile, the opponents of Park 51 like former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani doubt the goodness of constructing the center. He speculates that the construction of Park 51 creates further divisiveness between American and Muslims. More than a half of America takes offence of the proximity of Park 51 to the World Trade Center, hence constructing it might result not in reconciliation, but in divisiveness. Other opponents of the construction like Donald Trump think the Islamic center signifies victory of the 9/11 attack. RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY For a long time Americans continue to uphold the first amendment. It is for this reason that America remains a safe heaven for people of all religions. 1 billion Muslims, 2 billion Christians, 700 million Hindus, 150 million atheists, 350 million Buddhist and 14 million Jews inhabit the United States (Butler, Grant and Randall 15). Each of these religions has places or houses of worshipping across America. They practice their religions freely and often assemble for religious purposes. Most American employers also respect religious holidays and give them days off on religious days. They celebrate the holidays in their own ways freely and without interference. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr and on the day of Ramadan they celebrate on the streets freely without interference. However, the war on terrorism makes America appear anti-Muslim. Muslim extremist attacks on America strain the relationship between America and Islam (Hughes 15). The Park 51 debate complicates issues further due to the dilemma on whether to observe the constitution or the emotional feelings of the victims. Cultural diversity in America is also evident. African American, Latinos, whites, Asian, and many other foreigners find their home in America. The different cultures in the USA co-exist and exhibit pride in being American. In most cases, the pride of being an American citizen equals that of a person’s original culture. The constitution and laws of America promote dwelling of people from diverse cultures. Hence, the discrimination based on race and cultural differences remains illegal. This is a major contributor to the reason lesbians and gays find home in America. Many people shunned by communities around the world due to their beliefs prefer to move to the USA. However, embracing Middle Easterners proves to be a challenge for most Americans. The association of terrorism with Middle Easterners prevents their acceptance in the American society (Hughes 24). Debate on the proposed Park 51 caused doubts in the world regarding religious tolerance and cultural diversity in the world. The major purpose being that the only reason Americans opposed the construction of the Islamic Community center was its connection to Islam. Most protestors felt that the building was an insult to the dead and their living families. Construction workers rebuilding the World Trade Center also protested against the building of the Islamic community center. Words of protest appeared on their hats and vests as they worked. Stickers with messages of disapproval appeared on their clothes as well. Most of the construction workers said they would never accept work at the Park 51 construction site. Groups protesting the building of the Islamic center recognize the religious freedom in America; therefore, most protests that the center should be moved to another location. Organizations formed by family members of victims of 9/11 displayed different views. Safe and strong America considered the construction of the Islamic center offensive to the victims. However, another organization September 11 Family Association supported the initiative saying they hoped it would facilitate peace and reconciliation between Americans and Muslims. Another organization September 11 Peaceful for Tomorrow joined New York Neighbors Organization to support the construction of the Islamic center. The organization stated that the issue revolved around religious rights and not the location of the center. Members of major organizations like Voices of 9/11 and Healing and Remembrance by family victims stated that the best way to honor the dead is to allow the construction of the center. They said that their relatives died because they were American and stood for American values. Hence, opposing the construction of the building is contrary to the purpose of their death. MEDIA IN THE PARK 51 DEBATE The media played a major role in fueling the debate on Park 51. Pamela Geller blog, a major anti-Muslim blog, released the report on Park 51 project among the first. The New York Post followed branding the project “WTC Mosque”. Fox News also offered the opponents of the project major coverage. However, proponents of the project also managed to gather support via media. New York Neighbors Organization opened a Facebook account that attracted over 3000 friends within the first day. The organization also held press conferences to announce the formation of their organization and launched a website to inform of its activities. Protesters also used old tactics like protest rallies and matches to emphasize their stand. Stickers and graffiti constituted the tools used to advance the debate as well (Zelizer and Stuart 228). Bloggers and websites updated new information and arguments on the debate on a daily basis (Zelizer and Stuart 229). By the end of summer in August 2010, the news on Park 51 had received the most media coverage. Although the media debate hushed down, the first amendment of the constitution should be the first consideration in making a decision on Park 51. The first amendment is an integral part of the American constitution that should be upheld despite personal feelings and emotions. Works Cited Zelizer, Barbie, and Allan, Stuart. Journalism After September 11: Communication and Society. New York, NY: Routledge. 2012. Hughes, Aaron W. Muslim Identities: An Introduction to Islam. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013. Print. Butler, Jon, Grant Wacker, and Randall H. Balmer. Religion in American Life: A Short History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print. Fessenden, Tracy. Culture and Redemption: Religion, the Secular, and American Literature. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2008. Read More