Q&A: What Are Your Views on the Proposed Ground Zero Mosque Debate?

Ingrid Faria (Henry Lam/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—With President Obama’s recent comments on the construction of the proposed Islamic community center located two blocks from ground zero, the issue has elevated to a national controversy. Many Washington officials have voiced their opinions, some citing the proximity of Park51 to ground zero as rubbing salt into the wounds of those who lost their loved ones on Sept. 11, 2001, while others strongly believe in the right to practice religious freedom.

The Epoch Times asked New Yorkers and those visiting the city: What are your views on the proposed ground zero mosque debate?

Ingrid Faria, 50s, housing specialist, Brooklyn

I agree that there’s freedom. Again, the issue is whether or not it should be so close to ground zero. I don’t know … because it’s so sensitive. People are so sensitive about ground zero, and it looks as if it infringes on the people’s [wish of] having that ground as sacred ground, that area as sacred ground.

Mary Slater, 60, retired, Manhattan

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them doing the mosque, but it’s so many memories because of 9/11 you know? A lot of people feel that it should not be there because of what happened, because people lost their loved ones. But, my opinion? It’s fine. It could be there, it could be anywhere else.

I don’t see anything wrong with it. They have a right to build wherever they want to if they can afford it, but people are just against it. I agree with Obama and also Mr. Bloomberg. Yes, they have a right to wherever they want to have a mosque. They’re not bothering anybody

Sandra, customer service representative, Queens

I don’t think it’s right. It’s right there where 9/11 happened. I don’t mind people practicing their religion wherever they want to, but I don’t think it should be right there, across the street from it. No. … My nephew and my niece got hurt down there, so I don’t think that’s a good thing for them to be doing. Why there? He [Obama] was saying everybody has a right to practice their religious freedom. He wasn’t saying that they should put a mosque there, not like that. He was just saying, everybody has a right … People are reading more into it … He’s just saying everybody has their own opinion.

Ana Marrero, 55, secretary transcriptionist, Park Slope

I don’t think it should be there. It’s the wrong place to be. I worked here in the [downtown] hospital. I was here on 9/11, I saw everything that happened, people jumping out of the windows, the planes crashing. I don’t think they should be there. Somewhere else in the city, not there, not after the loss. It’s the wrong place to be.

I was in the office when the first plane came by … And I was standing by the window when the second plane hit. I had to go to therapy for about four years because I was having nightmares [after that]. … It brings back bad memories. But no, I don’t think the mosque should be there. … It’s very traumatic. They need to think about the families and the people who lost family members, friends. And I don’t think they’re thinking about that.

Victor Gonzalez, 41, chef, SoHo

I worked right in the World Trade Center … so I was down here on 9/11. And, I really believe in freedom of religion. I know a lot of people died, but I can’t see not letting them build it just because of that. Because then, every time there’s a tragedy from a religious group, are you going to stop them from building another house of worship?

I worked in the New York Stock Exchange and I was down here the morning of 9/11. I lost a couple of people who worked with me. … I don’t agree with him [Obama] on much, but I do on that, because there’s so many places in the world where you wouldn’t have the freedom to do this. …

I wouldn’t stop it [the construction of Park51] just for this reason. I know a lot of people died, but it’s a two-way sword for me. If you tell people no, then it becomes a precedence. … So that opens up just another gate of problems.

Lise Sorensen, 24, nutritionist, Denmark

I’m not sure [if they should build Park51] because they say it wasn’t the Islamic faith that did the 9/11 attack, exactly. You can’t say that all Islamic people were involved with it. So those people who build the mosque and who go there, they’re not a part of this.

I think it’s okay to build it, but I understand also the people who’ve been involved in 9/11. Maybe their feelings will get hurt because they compare the Islamic faith and the 9/11 attacks and it’s kind of the same for them, I think. … Maybe you could build it more far away from ground zero. …

If they buy the property like everyone else, then they should be able to build whatever they want, on the ground, on the property.

Allan Hansen, 26, civil engineer, Denmark

I don’t think it should be a problem, and [I think] that Americans should be tolerant and realize that Islam and terrorism are not one of the same thing. … Christian people do terrible things too. You can’t really judge people in general terms like that.

I think they have a right to build it and if they follow the rules … then it should be okay… I agree with him [Obama]. You call it the land of the free, so why put limits on what people can do and what they can’t do?