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
By the way, if you want to see images of the WHYS team in New York, you can view them here:
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18:15
113631290
Jens on the blog - The entire discussion is moot on two simple points. A) It is not a mosque; B) It is not build at ground zero. Do I like the idea of the faith center being built there, NO. Do I like the idea of some right wing religiouse nutter burning the Koran, NO
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18:15
113631290
Dolapo in Lagos, Nigeria on the blog - it is quite unbelievable that there is so much hullabaloo about this building. With all the so-called western democracy et al. It is quite obvious that the country called America has a lot of people who aren’t enlightened enough. And the politicians aren’t making things any easier by stoking the fire
Comment sent via BLOG
18:14
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Melissa C on the blog - Mega-mosque? Are you kidding me?!! Muslims died in that "unmarked grave" as well as many other people of all different culture/ethnic backgrounds.
Comment sent via Facebook
18:09
113631290
Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda - The rest of the world may not share the same feelings about the place but I think we need to respect the Americans. If they think that the construction is just another mockery then they have the right to have mixed feelings
Comment sent via Facebook
18:08
113631290
Christina in Indianapolis - As far as I know, the families of those killed in 9/11 have already explained that they have no problem with this center being built. If they can come to terms with the fact that a group of terrorists doesn't speak or act for an entire religion, everyone else should be able to see this as well.
Comment sent via host
18:01
113631290
We''re now live from New York at Ground Zero. Listen here:
Comment sent via Facebook
17:52
113631290
Eric in the USA posted on Facebook - This is not a buffet where you can pick and choose. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion, along with all the other rights guaranteed in the Constitution go hand and hand. I see some of the same people that wanted the government to stop the Quran burning now want the government to let the mosque be built. You can't dictate your beliefs to others. Both are protected rights here in the good old US of A.
Comment sent via BLOG
17:52
113631290
Zizi on the blog - Our mother country is no longer ours to claim as we now live in a global multi-cultural society. Whether we like it or not, we just have to live with all the previously unknowns that now surround us - so why the protests and complaints?
Comment sent via Facebook
17:49
113631290
Michael in Yaounde, Cameroon - I think American leaders should respect the will of their people. If the people don't want that mosque then they should simply build it elsewhere, rather than causing tensions between religions.
Comment sent via Facebook
17:49
113631290
Christian in the US - The opponents have all got a flawed view of civil rights and a completely errant understanding of patriotism. It's more patriotic to see a mosque built there in a country where we are said to protect the freedom of religion.
Comment sent via Facebook
17:48
113631290
Chris from Vancouver, Canada - Why there? New York is huge. Why choose a spot that is going to upset people who may have lost loved ones, even if their thinking is backward? Is the mosque a place to practice Islam or cause controversy? Because that is what its legacy will be.
Comment sent via Twitter
17:47
114524274
@91بب±¬_WHYS That must be a nice show. Debate on mosque near there or what?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
17:46
113631290
Mbuyu Makayi e-mailed - I think a mosque should be built on Ground Zero. Through this, Americans will be able to see the true face of the Muslim religion, not one being portrayed by the Taliban
Comment sent via host
17:46
113631290
Today we''re live at Ground Zero in New York - assessing the feeling in the area about the proposed building of a mosque nearby. What do you think? Listen to our show and have your say below. We''re on air in 15 minutes.
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
By the way, if you want to see images of the WHYS team in New York, you can view them here:
Comment sent via BLOG
Jens on the blog - The entire discussion is moot on two simple points. A) It is not a mosque; B) It is not build at ground zero. Do I like the idea of the faith center being built there, NO. Do I like the idea of some right wing religiouse nutter burning the Koran, NO
Comment sent via BLOG
Dolapo in Lagos, Nigeria on the blog - it is quite unbelievable that there is so much hullabaloo about this building. With all the so-called western democracy et al. It is quite obvious that the country called America has a lot of people who aren’t enlightened enough. And the politicians aren’t making things any easier by stoking the fire
Comment sent via BLOG
Melissa C on the blog - Mega-mosque? Are you kidding me?!! Muslims died in that "unmarked grave" as well as many other people of all different culture/ethnic backgrounds.
Comment sent via Facebook
Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda - The rest of the world may not share the same feelings about the place but I think we need to respect the Americans. If they think that the construction is just another mockery then they have the right to have mixed feelings
Comment sent via Facebook
Christina in Indianapolis - As far as I know, the families of those killed in 9/11 have already explained that they have no problem with this center being built. If they can come to terms with the fact that a group of terrorists doesn't speak or act for an entire religion, everyone else should be able to see this as well.
Comment sent via host
We''re now live from New York at Ground Zero. Listen here:
Comment sent via Facebook
Eric in the USA posted on Facebook - This is not a buffet where you can pick and choose. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion, along with all the other rights guaranteed in the Constitution go hand and hand. I see some of the same people that wanted the government to stop the Quran burning now want the government to let the mosque be built. You can't dictate your beliefs to others. Both are protected rights here in the good old US of A.
Comment sent via BLOG
Zizi on the blog - Our mother country is no longer ours to claim as we now live in a global multi-cultural society. Whether we like it or not, we just have to live with all the previously unknowns that now surround us - so why the protests and complaints?
Comment sent via Facebook
Michael in Yaounde, Cameroon - I think American leaders should respect the will of their people. If the people don't want that mosque then they should simply build it elsewhere, rather than causing tensions between religions.
Comment sent via Facebook
Christian in the US - The opponents have all got a flawed view of civil rights and a completely errant understanding of patriotism. It's more patriotic to see a mosque built there in a country where we are said to protect the freedom of religion.
Comment sent via Facebook
Chris from Vancouver, Canada - Why there? New York is huge. Why choose a spot that is going to upset people who may have lost loved ones, even if their thinking is backward? Is the mosque a place to practice Islam or cause controversy? Because that is what its legacy will be.
Comment sent via Twitter
@91بب±¬_WHYS That must be a nice show. Debate on mosque near there or what?
Comment sent via YOURSAY
Mbuyu Makayi e-mailed - I think a mosque should be built on Ground Zero. Through this, Americans will be able to see the true face of the Muslim religion, not one being portrayed by the Taliban
Comment sent via host
Today we''re live at Ground Zero in New York - assessing the feeling in the area about the proposed building of a mosque nearby. What do you think? Listen to our show and have your say below. We''re on air in 15 minutes.