Over the last weekend, U.S. President Obama walked straight into the heated controversy of the proposed Ground Zero mosque build and seemingly managed to offend parties on both sides of the debate, and in the process even raised negative reactions from members of his own political party.
The proposed $100 million Muslim cultural centre which includes a 500-seat auditorium, a swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, space for multi-faith dialogue, education programs and a mosque, has generated huge debate because of its proximity to Ground Zero – the epicentre of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
According to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released last week, almost 70 percent of Americans oppose the plan to build a mosque near the 9/11 site. Opponents say that the proposed build by the Muslim group Cordoba displays a lack of sensitivity to Americans killed in the attack. These same opponents were also offended that Obama voiced support for the plan at a White House iftar (evening meal to break fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan) Friday without also properly addressing their concerns.
Obama has long been criticized by conservative Christians for what they perceive as a lack of support for the Christian faith.
Likewise, those who support the Islamic centre were disappointed that Obama changed his tune on the Saturday following these comments when he told a CNN reporter that he was “not commenting on the wisdom” of the plan, but was rather addressing in his statement the overarching value that the government should treat “everyone equal, regardless” of religion.
Obama has therefore managed to raise the ire of everyone involved in the emotionally-charged debate.
Obama is also being opposed politically, most tellingly in a statement by the No. 1 Democrat in the Senate, Harry Reid, who said that while the First Amendment protects freedom of religion, he still believes that the mosque should be built elsewhere.
The New York governor, David Paterson, has offered the developers of the site state-owned land to build the centre a greater distance from Ground Zero and thus to cool down the heated debate.
Although Obama has taken flack from all sides, Republican Michael Gerson said that Obama’s position as president meant that he had no choice but to take the position he did.
“A president does not merely have opinions; he has duties to the Constitution and to the citizens he serves – including millions of Muslim citizens,” Gerson wrote. “His primary concern is not the sifting of sensitivities but the protection of the American people and the vindication of their rights.”
“By this standard, Obama had no choice but the general path he took. No president, of any party or ideology, could tell millions of Americans that their sacred building desecrates American holy ground.”