It appears that remaining hurdles have been overcome to build a mosque near the 9/11 Ground Zero site in lower Manhattan. The proposed $100 million center, complete with a mosque, a 500-seat auditorium, and a swimming pool, has divided Americans, including lawmakers, local shopkeepers, and 9/11 victims' groups.
New York mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the approval as a victory for the separation of church and state. “To cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists,” he said, standing with religious leaders in front of the Statue of Liberty.
The Cordoba Initiative, central to the development of the site, provides the following quote as their inspiration,
…If the 21st century wishes to free itself from the cycle of violence, acts of terror and war, and avoid repetition of the experience of the 20th century - that most disaster-ridden century of humankind, there is no other way except by understanding and putting into practice every human right for all mankind, irrespective of race, gender, faith, nationality or social status. In anticipation of that day. With much gratitude…
– Shirin Ebadi, Conclusion to her Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 2003
There is talk of an interfaith chapel being a part of the development as well. Certainly communication is central to resolving tensions and promoting understanding and cooperation.
