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