For quite some time now I have kept my mouth tightly shut when it came to debating the proposed mosque in NYC. I felt like every opinion was already out there for people to read so there was no point in adding another to the mix. However, I now realize that if I do not speak about my feelings on this particular issue, I will eventually explode. So here it goes:
I can see both sides of the debate over this mosque, and I don't fully agree or disagree with either side. As a matter of fact, I've come up with a compromise that could potentially please everyone.
There is already a mosque 4 blocks from ground zero, therefore adding another should not be a big deal (unless the people opposed to the new mosque would like to explain why they never fought to move the original). Using this reasoning, I propose that the mosque be built where it has been proposed, but on the condition that it not open on September 11th as was originally proposed. Although the motive may be peace (I hope that is the truth, anyway), I think that it is coming across in the wrong way. If the mosque were to open in the Spring or Summer, or even at the beginning of Ramadan (in August), it would show the compassion the Muslim people who are proposing it have and it would also be a gesture of friendship and healing toward the families who lost loved ones that day.
It's a small compromise, but I believe it could be an effective one. Something that could start to bridge the gap between Islam and America. As Mayor Bloomberg said, we are fighting terror with freedom in the U.S. To not allow this mosque would be letting the terrorists win. We would fear them and hate them, and that is EXACTLY what terrorism is about. Instead, we need to be strong and allow freedom to shine through no matter what.
America is a beautiful country. It is full of passion and patriotism, and hopefully one day it will do away with prejudice. This could be just the first of many steps in working toward that goal.
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