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Ground Zero Irish families say no to Mosque

Families feel it will be built too close to sacred ground

APRIL DREW,

Irish Voice Reporter

Published Thursday, August 26, 2010, 12:31 PM

Updated Thursday, August 26, 2010, 12:31 PM

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9/11 victim Damian Meehan and his baby son Damian Jr.

Dolan respects that the radical Islamists that are using Islam to justify their terrorist ways are in the minority, but to open a mosque a few blocks away from the place he lost his brother would be “a shame.”

Dolan feels that having the mosque so close to Ground Zero could also be a “lightning rod” for future terrorist plots.
“This is just another way for extremists to wage war against the west,” said Dolan.

“You could have a lot of potential terrorists coming to this country in one way or another to go and look at the 9/11 remain site and then go to the ground zero mosque.”

The solution, said Dolan, would be to relocate it somewhere else in the city.

“So many lives were devastated by 9/11. Brendan worked really hard and built a very good business and career for himself, and to have this happen to him at 37 and leave a wife and two children that myself and my two other brothers have been helping out is just devastating. Knowing that this mosque could be just around the block is even more devastating,” he added.

Co. Cork native Ron Clifford lost his sister Ruth and his niece Juliana during the attacks. He feels erecting a mosque and community center next to Ground Zero would be “extremely insensitive.”

“The problem that I have is not with the mosque, it's the location. I do think it is extremely insensitive. There are many other places in New York City where they can build this without such fanfare. Why have are they so bent on this place?” asks Clifford.

“By yielding to the public cry to not construct the mosque near Ground Zero and electing to build it in another location they would be able to further leverage the voice of the vast majority of Muslims who condemn terrorism. This would be the right thing to do,” he told the Irish Voice on Tuesday.

Clifford said the remains of his sister and his four-year-old niece are still scattered throughout the site at Ground Zero.

“It has been nine years and I live it every day,” he says.

Clifford said he is not fully convinced that Feisal Abdul Rauf intentions are genuine.

“The Cordoba Institute's Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf says a mosque and community center will help bridge the gap and bring healing between Muslims and non-Muslims.

“I am suspicions because it is a known fact that that it is Islamic tradition to build on top of an area that you've ‘conquered.’ In their culture this is what they call a soft Jihad,” said Clifford.

“The argument should not be about freedom of religious rights, and the issue should be examined more closely. The 9/11 families and victims deserve a little more respect.”

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etain77 | Aug 27, 2010, 07:41 PM EDT

Of course my fellow countrymen and women will take the ignorant stupid stance. They still believe the official story about 9/11. They believe the stories about Iraq and Al Qaeda, Iraq's WMDs even though no evidence has been presented to support either of these accusations. Did any of you Irish go to school, i.e. past primary school? I think not. Take a look at this-http://www.ae911truth.org/evidence.html How did tower 7 fall? How can a 100-plus story building constructed with the finest materials and state of the art technology collapse in a few minutes - I was close by, I worked on Park Place. And since when has a building collapsed due to fire? Idiots Idiots Idiots!!! I suppose you all were delighted with the wars! Speaking of which, do you believe what Pat Tillman's parents are saying about how he actually died? I suppose you'll say that's a conspiracy too! Ha Ha!! Gombeens!!

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rooster483 | Aug 20, 2010, 06:46 PM EDT

i dont want to see this mosque built in an area where my cousin was murdered.she showed up early for work like any good employee who wants to make a better world for their family.damian meehan was also doing the same thng.in the interest of full disclosure i am a friend of that family and have to add that they and their parents have contributed to the well being of many a person.i think it it very important that we the families who lost love ones on that day, get very vocal about this mosque, weather it be on the streets, radio or tv and papers. we should start beating the drum of our love ones and reawaken the feeling of the whole country to what happened there that day.the country would have stormed downtown manhattan in protest to this mosque if it was proposed closer to the day of this attack.i feel that we as a country are starting to forget the horror of being violated by these wackos ,and have to rise up against this mosque based on principle alone.i am writting to tell janine meehan to never give up voicing your love for your lost one by outing theses criminals and thugs and murders with any form of press at your disposal.i do it all the time for my ann who shares a stone with her name on it with danian's in a certian part of the catskills.i visit this stone when i can and say a prayer for all whos names are on there.i feel this is only the start of many fights that are going to come our way, with this group of people that voices its hatred for our religion and american way of life and we should get ready to sound off at any time we feel our loves ones memories are being tarnished and disgraced. down with the mosque and build a place where we remember the people that were killed at the trade center,make a nuetral site open to all and this will be better for all of us.

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GuinnessGrrl | Aug 20, 2010, 04:27 PM EDT

Where's the outrage over the fact that it's coming up on the 9th anniversary and where the towers stood is still a big hole in the ground?

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GuinnessGrrl | Aug 20, 2010, 04:26 PM EDT

Um, there were people working in the towers when they were hit & who died who were Muslims...anybody want to ask THEIR families what they think? I've yet to hear anyone say just how close this community center can be built without it being on "hallowed" ground...

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madelane | Aug 20, 2010, 11:06 AM EDT

Why hasn't my last post been added??

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IrishAndProud | Aug 20, 2010, 12:14 AM EDT

It is interesting how someone who's just gotten through cursing religion itself as nothing more than 'brainwashing' (that's YOU, madelane) is now all-of-a-sudden so gung-ho about religious and property rights -- at least when it comes to Muslims. Usually liberals SPIT on such stuff...but for some reason with muslims, it's all different. Hmmmm. So...if the Muslims wish to stick a mosque/school at Ground Zero, with the express purpose of sticking their middle finger up America's nose and saying 'we've won and we've conquered this very same spot that we attacked you on, and you're so hamstrung by your own political correctness that you're actually letting us do it,' then...you have no problem with that, madelane? Is that not naked ABUSE of the very Constitution you've just cited? In the name of the Constitution, you will allow things into the country that have vowed as their goal the destruction of that very document? That is interesting...and just a wee bit convoluted, if you don't mind me saying so. And yes, that is EXACTLY why they want the mosque there, on that spot. Why else? You can't say it's because they have nowhere else -- they could build it ANYWHERE else, and it wouldn't be raising nearly the eyebrows it is, here. And what about its name: the CORDOVA House? Do you not know history, madelane? Do you not know the significance of that name in Islamic history -- and particularly for this building, in THAT place, near Ground Zero? Just use your head (and not your 'heart!). This is not difficult to figure out.

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madelane | Aug 19, 2010, 04:42 PM EDT

@lovepint,@McNabb- No I have not distorted the issue- I see past what you can't get your heads out of-your religions. The majority of Muslim people in America DO NOT want to destroyAmerica-BECAUSE THEY ARE AMERICANS!!! We have a small minority in this country that want to desroy America,but they are not Muslim they are fringe element Christians, and they frighten me far more than any American Muslim. I can see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears the racist bigotry that is coming from the people who appose the Community Center, which is actually not at Ground Zero, but a few blocks away. Please tell me why you think the American Muslims should send their money to the Middle East, and not use it to help themselves here, where they live and where they belong!! You've got that right McNabb, I spew my loathing for anything that subjugates people, in part or in whole. I detest anything that teaches not to trust anyone or anything that is not just like them!! In history, religions have caused more wars, pain and suffering than anything else- read your history!!! I don't think any religion anywhere comes anywhere close to equaling the importance of the Constitution!! And I will fight any way I can for it not to be corroded by your fears and distrust in any way!! But I would also fight for your right to worship what you wish and where you wish. It's our right as Americans, but unfortunatly it's being taken away from one group, because of the hatred, fear, and mistrust of another group.

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McNabb1966 | Aug 19, 2010, 02:38 PM EDT

@madelane...You're distorting the issue. If you want to type volumes then how about this: Explain why you ASSUME that the true motive of Cordoba House backers is peace, love and tolerance while ASSUMING that people who oppose building Cordoba House at Ground Zero are religious bigots who want to destroy the Constitution? Have you given that much thought? Or are you too busy spewing your hatred of all religions?

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loveapint | Aug 19, 2010, 01:32 PM EDT

You just don't get it, Its not freedom of religion we are against, its where they want to build it. The Gov of NY offered them another site and they refused. The NY Muslems should use all or part of the money to help their fellow Muslems in the middle east build hospitals and school, to help raise the standard of living over there.

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madelane | Aug 19, 2010, 10:58 AM EDT

Thank you for reminding me that all Muslims are terrorists. By that same logic every Christian is a Timothy McVeigh, and all the Irish took part in the "Troubles". You may lump people together by the actions of a few, but I try to see the nuances in human thoughts and expression. I've also seen where some Christians want to take over America and make this country a theocracy, that scares me just as much as any Muslim take over. My understanding? So I have to live my life with hate, until my granddaughters great grandchildren die because no one will move past it, and decide that humanity is far more important then this hate that continues because my 15th great grandfather attacked your 16th great granduncle. The problem with taking away the muslims right to worship is, who will be next? Mormons? 7th Day Adventists? The Fundementalists don't care for any religions that aren't them, so will the rest loose their rights, because they offended the fundimentalists? Actually all religions offend me, be they Muslim, Christian,or Judaism. To me religion is nothing more than brainwashing to keep hate alive, and to keep distrust in others going. Religion is #1 in keeping people apart. I have seen videos of and about the 9/11 families, and yes my heart has gone out to them, yet not to just the Christian ones, but Muslim, Jew and atheist families too. I can feel loss of a loved one, no one has a monopoly on the feelings of loss or pain. But I am trying to see past the pain and hate, to possibly the most important piece of paper in this country; to what makes this country what it is and the people, who we are. The Constitution. If we allow this hate and ditrust to continue, and if the Muslims loose their right to worship where they choose, then we have made a precedence, and have weakened the Constitution, to the point that no ones freedom of religion will be safe.

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McNabb1966 | Aug 19, 2010, 09:40 AM EDT

So the families of 9/11 murder victims need to be more sensitive? Really? Also, the argument that Cordoba House "isn't really a mosque at all" only weakens the case for building it at Ground Zero. If it's not a religious center than how can opposition to it be a threat to freedom of religion? The Left has thrown out so many bogus arguments that the moonbats can't keep their stories straight. Is it about "religous freedom" or not? Is it about "cultural sensitivity?" Is it strictly about property rights? Or is this just an excuse to score some points in an election cycle?

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IrishAndProud | Aug 19, 2010, 01:25 AM EDT

Madelane, why does your 'human understanding' not extend toward the families of the 9/11 victims? It cuts both ways -- and insisting on putting an Islamic center near the largest mass-murder site in U.S. history (at the hands of Muslims) is not a good way of going about it. It's just too damned in-your-face (which is EXACLY the intent)...and they've even named the place 'Cordova' after their invasion entrypoint into Europe, and have the backing of HAMAS, who, ah...aren't the world's nicest gentlemen, shall we say. We'll 'understand' our way into the grave, if we follow this course. These 7th-century throw-backs want to wipe the USA out, and you want to 'understand' them? The 9/11 families and most of the rest of us already understand them, painfully -- but PAINFULLY -- well. Go to You Tube, and type 'KeepAmericaSafe.com we remember' into the search window, and then watch the top video. It's a message directy from 9/11 families, and the topic of this Islamic center...then get back to me. Try understanding them, too.

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madelane | Aug 18, 2010, 11:27 PM EDT

@IrishandProud, I support human understanding!!! Instead of all this hate, and lack of understanding, how about being the first to stretch out a hand. I lived in Japan for 4 years, they have American cultural Centers in many places.(not sure if any are in Hiroshima), but seeing as how the Japanese have a Cultural Center on Oahu, I guess I would not be adverse to seeing one in Hiroshima. Cultural Centers are for bringing people together, NOT IN HATE,BUT IN UNDERSTANDING, and hoping that it develops into friendship. Maybe if the people in Ireland thought outside of their religions and realized that, you all have more simalarites than differences, maybe... But both peoples have been so steeped in hate, it would take a very "BIG" person, to stretch out their hand.

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madelane | Aug 18, 2010, 11:11 PM EDT

Hey @bostonblakie, most Christians don't keep their religion a private matter either, I get Christianity shoved down my throat at least once a day, if not more. Instead of all this hate, towards fellow Americans, how about doing your "Christian" thing and stretch out a hand toward them. They did not commit 9/11, and have just as much horror and pain toward the loss of lives as you do.

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IrishAndProud | Aug 18, 2010, 11:07 PM EDT

madelane, I'm not a Xtian at all, and the Muslims need to find another place. Do you support an American culture school and church at Hiroshima? Or how about a Protestant Institute right next to the Bloody Sunday site in Derry?

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