There’s no better place for Park51 mosque than downtown Manhattan

As a Muslim American, I have been intently following the debate surrounding the Park51 project in downtown Manhattan. I wish to respond to the letters on Aug. 27 from Scott Hibbard and Tom Whitcombe. I would like to thank Tom and Joan Padilla and Mayor Burke for their support in their letters on Aug. 21 and Aug. 27.

My biggest problem with Mr. Hibbard’s argument is he conflates Afghan cultural practices with Islam; they are not the same. The controversy is over a mosque in downtown Manhattan in accordance with local laws and ordinances under the protection of rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. Park51 has nothing to do with Afghan laws, customs and cultural practices.

There is no denying the majority of Afghan women are subjected to inhumane treatment at the hands of the Afghan men. That is not the fault of the religion. Unfortunately, many Muslim men deny women rights given to them by God. But who is to tell these Afghan men to do away with un-Islamic behavior? The women cannot, at least for now.

Mr. Hibbard is right – the U.S. has been on a self-correcting course and rightfully occupies its place as a great nation where freedom is valued above all else. Whether this will happen in Afghanistan remains to be seen. Why hold an extreme example like Afghanistan to be representative of all Muslim nations?

Mr. Whitcombe’s letter makes the point the mosque proponents have every right to build, but building the mosque would be divisive. How so? What happened on Sept. 11 is unpardonable, abhorrent, cowardly, a travesty of the religion, and there can be no justification for the act. Islam does not give these terrorists the right to kill.

Many Muslims, including myself, did speak out and continue to do so against these dastardly acts. We will not attract attention in the media that thrives on sound-bites and prefers extremist views to more moderate ones.

The Park51 project intends to do exactly what Mr. Whitcombe suggests – “underscore the considerable difference between mainstream Islam and the fanatical Jihadism.” It is a cultural center with provision for interfaith activities with one of the many floors devoted to worship. What better place to have such a project than downtown Manhattan?