Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Mosque planned to be built near Ground Zero

Baraka_Guru · 07-21-2010, 07:03 AM

Hm...that doesn't sound like a monument to terrorism at all....

Okay, I understand that many in NYC carry a burden of pain when it comes to the events of 9/11. I'm sure there are several triggers that are particularly painful. Planes flying overhead, fireworks, seeing a Muslim in the street, etc.—I'm sure any or all of these could trigger post-traumatic stress. However, it appears the resistance to this cultural centre is based on this kind of emotional reaction. It's based on the fact that the attack was carried out "in the name of Islam." It was carried out with planes, and it happened to cause explosions and the collapsing of skyscrapers.

None of that should have much bearing on whether a group should build a community/cultural centre that will serve the city in several ways. That people are emotionally broken by a terrorist attack and that this centre is associated with Islam are the main reasons why there is opposition. I hear people in their outrage saying things such as "This is hallowed ground," or, "This is sacred ground," which to me is blatantly ignorant. It suggests to me that it is hallowed and sacred in that closed Christian context, where the dead should be respected and honoured and so those Muslims should be kept away from it, lest they disgrace the place and the memory of those who died. It suggests that Muslims cannot hope to sympathize or otherwise relate to those who died. It suggests that Muslims are outside of the shock, pain, and grief caused by 9/11. It marginalizes Islam. It blames Islam.

The centre itself is a positive force and it would be a shame if it gets blocked. I would even go as far as to say that it would be damaging to the city and to Americans as a whole. It would be giving in to Islamophobia and it would be a demonstration of the efficacy of terrorism. The blocking of this centre could very well mean an ideological victory for the likes of Al-Qaeda, where they could very well say, "Look at how American hegemony resists and marginalizes Muslim culture."

I would like to hope Americans are strong enough to bear this painful emotional recovery rather than let it get the best of them.

07-21-2010, 07:03 AM	#23 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Hm...that doesn't sound like a monument to terrorism at all.... Okay, I understand that many in NYC carry a burden of pain when it comes to the events of 9/11. I'm sure there are several triggers that are particularly painful. Planes flying overhead, fireworks, seeing a Muslim in the street, etc.—I'm sure any or all of these could trigger post-traumatic stress. However, it appears the resistance to this cultural centre is based on this kind of emotional reaction. It's based on the fact that the attack was carried out "in the name of Islam." It was carried out with planes, and it happened to cause explosions and the collapsing of skyscrapers. None of that should have much bearing on whether a group should build a community/cultural centre that will serve the city in several ways. That people are emotionally broken by a terrorist attack and that this centre is associated with Islam are the main reasons why there is opposition. I hear people in their outrage saying things such as "This is hallowed ground," or, "This is sacred ground," which to me is blatantly ignorant. It suggests to me that it is hallowed and sacred in that closed Christian context, where the dead should be respected and honoured and so those Muslims should be kept away from it, lest they disgrace the place and the memory of those who died. It suggests that Muslims cannot hope to sympathize or otherwise relate to those who died. It suggests that Muslims are outside of the shock, pain, and grief caused by 9/11. It marginalizes Islam. It blames Islam. The centre itself is a positive force and it would be a shame if it gets blocked. I would even go as far as to say that it would be damaging to the city and to Americans as a whole. It would be giving in to Islamophobia and it would be a demonstration of the efficacy of terrorism. The blocking of this centre could very well mean an ideological victory for the likes of Al-Qaeda, where they could very well say, "Look at how American hegemony resists and marginalizes Muslim culture." I would like to hope Americans are strong enough to bear this painful emotional recovery rather than let it get the best of them. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 07-21-2010 at 07:12 AM..