{"id":59,"date":"2010-09-08T10:44:07","date_gmt":"2010-09-08T10:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/catholicsmediaandculture\/2010\/09\/a-suggestion-for-easing-tensions-over-the-proposed-cordoba-house-near-ground-zero.html"},"modified":"2010-09-08T10:44:07","modified_gmt":"2010-09-08T10:44:07","slug":"a-suggestion-for-easing-tensions-over-the-proposed-cordoba-house-near-ground-zero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/catholicsmediaandculture\/2010\/09\/a-suggestion-for-easing-tensions-over-the-proposed-cordoba-house-near-ground-zero.html","title":{"rendered":"A suggestion for easing tensions over the proposed “Cordoba House” near Ground Zero"},"content":{"rendered":"

Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Muslim imam behind the planned Islamic cultural center on the site where a landing gear<\/a> from one of the planes used in the 9\/11 attack on the World Trade Center plummeted to earth has written an op-ed piece for the New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In his column, his first detailed attempt to communicate with those who feel his choice of location is insensitive to say the least, he says “Many people wondered why I did not speak out more, and sooner, about this
\nproject. I felt that it would not be right to comment from abroad.”  <\/i><\/p>\n

That’s understandable, I suppose. But it may have been wiser to put off his tax-funded Middle Eastern peace trip in favor of dealing directly with the controversy — and, perhaps, taking the time to meet with victims’ families and others who raised legitimate sensitivity concerns.<\/p>\n

But, be that as it may, he’s not the first religious leader to have a tin ear when it comes to public relations. And he does go on to say some some positive things — and, one inexplicably, troubling thing.<\/p>\n

He says “At Cordoba House, we envision shared space for community activities, like a
\nswimming pool, classrooms and a play space for children. There will be separate
\nprayer spaces for Muslims, Christians, Jews and men and women of other faiths.
\nThe center will also include a multifaith memorial dedicated to victims of the
\nSept. 11 attacks.” <\/p>\n

<\/i>That’s all well and good — and such an interfaith center and victims’ memorial would indeed be a relatively noncontroversial Islamic gift not just to the area but to all Americans. In that case, even the location would likely not be a major issue. <\/p>\n

But, while I’m not challenging the imam’s sincerity (though I can’t exactly vouch for it either), I thought the proposed name of Cordoba House had been dropped in favor of the less controversial Park 51. Yet here he is using it again.<\/p>\n

He says “Our name, Cordoba, was inspired by the city in Spain where Muslims, Christians
\nand Jews co-existed in the Middle Ages during a period of great cultural
\nenrichment created by Muslims. Our initiative is intended to cultivate
\nunderstanding among all religions and cultures.”<\/i> <\/p>\n

That may very well be how he (rightly or wrongly) sees it.  But others<\/a> (rightly or wrongly) see the name as a deliberate thumb-in-the-eye reference to the Muslim invasion and conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe during the 8th Century, a period in which it is alleged that non-Muslims, under sharia law, were treated as distinct second-class citizens (given the choice of converting to Islam, paying a special tax or death).<\/p>\n

If the imam truly wants to build bridges, he might want to consider dropping the divisive name. <\/p>\n

While Park 51 is rather boring, he might consider something like the Islamic Center for Interfaith Peace, Worship and Understanding? Such a name would make a truly positive statement on behalf of moderate Muslims seeking to send a message of peaceful coexistence with believers of other faith traditions — and, maybe, even change some skeptical American hearts in the process.<\/p>\n

Just a thought. <\/p>\n

  <\/p>\n

       <\/i>
   <\/i>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Kennedy","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/catholicsmediaandculture\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/catholicsmediaandculture\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/d80\/d801bc09698c0995d9ae402b4b55ab61x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/catholicsmediaandculture\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/d80\/d801bc09698c0995d9ae402b4b55ab61x96.jpg","caption":"John W. Kennedy"},"description":"John W. Kennedy is the founder and Dir. of Development of The Creative Universe Entertainment\u2122, a media consultation and development company focusing on the creation, development and support of high-quality mainstream entertainment that upholds positive timeless values, including trust in God. Current projects include \"Bryant Park\" (an uplifting romantic-comedy) and \"Photo Finish\" (an award-winning sci-fi TV pilot). 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