Poland freshman address 9/11, Islam and the Constitution

Students in the Humanities I class taught by Ms. Thornton and Mr. Truman recently wrote letters to the editor about a proposed mosque near Ground Zero. The city of New York approved construction, but raw emotions over 9/11, Constitutional rights and backlash against Muslims still exist.

Mosque Letter Five

Dear Editor:

Building a mosque two blocks away from Ground Zero has been a recent news headline that has identified the tender boundaries of our Constitution. But as a United States citizen I oppose the idea of building a mosque strongly. The mosque two blocks away from Ground Zero should NOT be built, it violates and disrespects every lost life of 9/11. I also do have to say that I am not prejudice or have any bad feelings toward the Islamic religion. But to say that I don't find the idea of building a mosque near Ground Zero offensive would be a lie.

It does indeed make it difficult to draw the line from the foreign Muslims to the American Muslims. In fact 35% of Muslims worldwide are American. Constitutional rights state the freedom of religion, but there is also a point to where a human respect should come to mind. Listen to us, it is not only Muslims who can play the American Rights card. Under our beliefs every single person should have their opinion heard. According to our Humanities class research, 67% of Americans people believe that they have the right to build a mosque at Ground Zero, although 71% of Americans state that to build this mosque would be inappropriate. Tell me if I'm not correct, but that is a large amount. Still the inconsiderate ordeal rages on. There are about 1,900 mosques in the United Sates, plenty for the amount of Muslims in the U.S. So why build one so close to a place of tragedy? It is like a bandaged wound, this cruel proposal is just like ripping it off and once again exposing the very sensitive cut in our history.

As Charles Krauthammer writes in Washington Post: “When we speak of Ground Zero as hallowed ground, what we mean is that it belongs to those who suffered and died there – and that such ownership obliges us, the living, to preserve the dignity and memory of the place ... It's why, while no one objects to Japanese cultural centers, the idea of putting one up at Pearl Harbor would be offensive.”

Two thousand, nine hundred and ninety-six people died that day on 9/11. Why bring up the touchy situation once again? I strongly believe that there are other spots to build a mosque. Why choose this place? Media attention? We don't know, but this definitely was NOT necessary.

Sincerely,

Zoe Thomas

Mosque Letter Three

Dear Editor,

I’ve remained dumbfounded that this controversy over the proposed community center/mosque at the Park 51 site in New York City is still being discussed and debated. First of all, the site is not even at Ground Zero, it is 2 blocks away, on a piece of land that is owned by a Muslim, not the city or state. However, I am even more stunned in disbelief over what debates concern when discussing whether or not Muslims should be allowed to build this center, because the comments some protestors have used astonish me.

In a despicable attempt to try and deprive Americans a place to pray and worship their beliefs, protestors raise their “concerns.” These concerns are supposedly meant to highlight their points or beliefs, but many just highlight their bigotry, ignorance and prejudice towards Muslims. The city already approved this project. The mayor of New York and the President of the United States feel that this is a project that should be followed through on.

Now I understand that there are many people who feel that this is a disrespect to the families who lost someone in the attack of 9/11. But the critical fact that is usually ignored by protestors who can’t see past their own conservative close-minded opinions is that we are punishing all Muslims for the tragedy induced on us by a few men. That is the biggest grudge I will hold – this country keeps punishing the whole class for one kid’s mistake. Are we really going to be the country that stereotypes the whole Islam religion because those who attacked us on 9/11 were also a part of the Islam faith? Muslims should not be treated inferior to us because a few Muslims committed such a disastrous crime.

Islam is a religion, not a race, and this harsh treatment we put Muslims through such as denying innocent people a place to worship is cruel and unfair, and ignores part of our Constitution. By denying Muslims freedom of religion, what are we really getting? The only result I have seen so far is arguments and hatred. A tremendous amount of hatred. People are either blinded by the tears they cried and emotions they felt due to the tragedy at 9/11, or just blinded by smoke caused by their heated opinions of Muslims, which does nothing but pollute the air around them and others. If so, then I beg that you consider the point of view of the Muslims who want this center, because Catholics, Jews, Irish, Japanese, Germans, and many other religions and nationalities have been excluded against in the past, and next time, who knows, it could very well be you.

Sincerely,

Hannah Paradis