Ground Zero Mosque: Differing Points of View

Ground Zero Twin Towers

President Barack Obama’s recent defense of the construction of a Mosque at the ground zero site has sparked a debate in which everyone from Newt Gingrich to Hamas leaders seem to have an opinion, and which some commentators have labeled as a “another election year hurdle for Democrats”.

This controversial ‘Ground Zero Mosque’ is actually a proposed Muslim cultural center, which is said to be comprised of a Mosque, auditorium and a swimming pool and was initially called ‘Cordoba House’, a name which itself was criticized by detractors, as it was seen as a reference to a Spanish city, Cordoba, which was overrun by Muslims in the Middle Ages. However, its developers have denied this reference, instead claiming that the name was actually chosen because Christian, Muslim as well as Jewish people peacefully coexisted in Cordoba during the Middle Ages. The name has since been changed to ‘Park 51′ to avoid controversy, at least with regards to its name.

Many politicians, both Democrat and Republican, have decided to use this issue as a part of their political campaigns, and have voiced opinions regarding the construction of the proposed Muslim cultural center. One of the few Democrats to comment on the issue, Senator Harry Reid (D Nevada) has also had his spokesman release a statement saying that “The First Amendment protects freedom of religion. Senator Reid respects that but thinks that the mosque should be built some place else.”

Many other commentators however agree with the President, stating that an entire religion should not be judged on the actions of a few extremists.