Obama had remained silent over plans to build an Islamic cultural center in New York
agence france-presse
Taiwan News
2010-08-16
U.S. President Barack Obama’s support for the right to build a mosque just blocks from Ground Zero poured fuel Saturday on a raging debate over religious freedom and sensitivities over the 9/11 terror strikes.
Muslims “have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country,” Obama said at an Iftar meal at the White House for Muslims breaking their Ramadan fast late Friday.
That includes “the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”
Obama had remained silent over plans to build an Islamic cultural center, which includes a mosque, two blocks away from the gaping Ground Zero hole where the Twin Towers were destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.
But after a New York city commission on Aug. 3 unanimously approved the plans, the president came out to support the right to build the mosque.
“This is America,” Obama said, “and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are.” more …
