Mike Pouraryan
SP Week-End (8/15/2010): Mosque Hysteria in America
The hysteria over the mosque at the World Trade Center has been comical and rather distrubing at the same time. For me, the most disturbing facit of this has been the push by the so-called religious right in the United States to block the development of the project.
Prominent backers have included the Manhattan Borough President, the Mayor of New York and yes even the President of the United States. Detractors have included Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorium and the entire Fox News network. I caught a glimpse of Rick Santorium on Fox News noting how the President just "didn't get it". Rick wants to run for President and Fox does sure give him the platform to do so. If this means condemning Muslims, then so be it.
As the debate has gone on, what is forgotten is America's tradition of tolerance, understanding and forgiveness. What is also even worst is how this movement has continued to spread to other parts of the country. These individuals seem to forget this tradition. This is a tradition that was based on tolerance as far back as 1762 when President Jefferson bought a copy of the Quran that Congressman Ellison took his oath of office on. It goes to the first Iftar being hosted by President Jefferson at the White House for the Ambassador of Tunisia. As the President noted, Islam is not the enemy. When will those who push such rhetoric realize it?
In all the hysteria, there is one simple yet crucial fact that has been forgotten: over 100 Muslims died on Patriots Day. What about them?
Prominent backers have included the Manhattan Borough President, the Mayor of New York and yes even the President of the United States. Detractors have included Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorium and the entire Fox News network. I caught a glimpse of Rick Santorium on Fox News noting how the President just "didn't get it". Rick wants to run for President and Fox does sure give him the platform to do so. If this means condemning Muslims, then so be it.
As the debate has gone on, what is forgotten is America's tradition of tolerance, understanding and forgiveness. What is also even worst is how this movement has continued to spread to other parts of the country. These individuals seem to forget this tradition. This is a tradition that was based on tolerance as far back as 1762 when President Jefferson bought a copy of the Quran that Congressman Ellison took his oath of office on. It goes to the first Iftar being hosted by President Jefferson at the White House for the Ambassador of Tunisia. As the President noted, Islam is not the enemy. When will those who push such rhetoric realize it?
In all the hysteria, there is one simple yet crucial fact that has been forgotten: over 100 Muslims died on Patriots Day. What about them?
