Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Local religion experts evaluate freedoms involved in N.Y. Islamic center

HOUSE OF WORSHIP: There are plans to build an Islamic Center, like this one in  Tempe, two blocks from the ground zero in New York City. (Photo by Andy Jeffreys)
HOUSE OF WORSHIP: There are plans to build an Islamic Center, like this one in Tempe, two blocks from the ground zero in New York City. (Photo by Andy Jeffreys)

Plans to build an Islamic community center two blocks from the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City have some Americans questioning the role of religious freedom in this debate.

The proximity of the proposed Islamic center to ground zero has caused widespread controversy, and its protection under the First Amendment has come into play.

For Joel Gereboff, head of faculty for ASU’s Religious Studies department, the protection is clear.

“My colleagues … would certainly see the First Amendment as supporting the legitimacy of building the mosque and see arguments challenging building it as not consistent with the general understanding of the First Amendment,” Gereboff said.

All U.S. citizens are guaranteed religious freedom under the First Amendment, said Bill Mautino, pastor of Calvary Church of the Valley. Mautino said he is studying Islam to learn more about the religion.

“I find that every time we have a difficulty with someone from another country, we take it out on their people,” Mautino said. “America is supposed to be open for anyone to practice religion under the First Amendment.”

President Barack Obama announced his support for the construction of the Islamic center, which includes a mosque, last week.

“Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country,” Obama said Friday at the official White House Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan.

Becca Prose, a criminal justice freshman who comes from a family of firefighters, said she believes that the mosque’s location is insensitive.

“I don’t mind them putting up a mosque, it’s just that this is two blocks away,” Prose said.

Journalism freshman Hailey Paquett also said the center’s proximity to ground zero bothered her.

“Putting it so close is blatant insensitivity,” Paquett said. “If you try to build a church in downtown Baghdad or Mecca, they’re going to get pissed off.”

However, Imam Ahmad Shqeirat, the resident imam of the Tempe Islamic Community Center near Forest Avenue and Sixth Street, said the mosque near ground zero would aid in creating awareness about the peaceful nature of Islam.

An imam is a leader of a mosque who is considered an expert on the Islamic religion.

The Tempe mosque is not only open to Muslims, but to anyone who is interested in learning real values of the religion, Shqeirat said.

The imam said he advocates for Americans to learn the true meaning and values of Islam before forming an opinion based on the media’s portrayal of extreme Islamists.

The new Manhattan mosque will be a war against extremism and terrorism because it will convey the real Islamic characteristics of peace and love, Shqeirat said.

“The Manhattan mosque is part of thousands of Islamic centers that are available to all Americans,” Shqeirat said. “It’s one of the mosques that promote peace, inter-faith understanding and acceptance — the real values of Islam.”

Reach the reporter at caroline.austerman@asu.edu


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.