@uncleRUSH #groundzero #islam
One of the newest hot buttons of debate surrounding the World Trade Center Site has been the proposed Muslim Cultural Center that so-called victims families have opposed being build just blocks from Ground Zero.  As New Yorkers more than most, we personally carry the scars of what occurred almost nine years ago on September 11th.  New Yorkers have always been protective of how the day is commemorated and given the civilian casualties feel the site now know as Ground Zero is hollowed.

But to think that the construction of a cultural center dedicated to the religion practiced by those who inflicted such pain that day is somehow inappropriate is nothing short of insensitive.  In an open letter published both by the Huffington Post and Forbes Magazine, Hip Hop Mogul and neighbor to the World Trade Center Site, Russell Simmons says such opposition is contradictory to the  lessons of 9/11.

“It was a day we will never forget. It was a day that changed the course of this nation forever. It was a day that permanently bruised our hearts, with the potential of healing almost seeming impossible. Yet, with love, faith and compassion, we showed the world and showed ourselves through the promotion of one of our nation’s greatest values — tolerance — we can overcome fear and hate.”

At the time, Simmons lived with his now ex-wife Kimora Lee just one block from the Trade Center.  Walking the neighborhood is a daily reminder of what occurred but he feels its the same such hate that opposes the $100 Million Islamic cultural center that fueled the devistation on September 11th.

“Islam did not attack the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, sick and twisted men did, who not only hijacked four airplanes but also hijacked a religion. Let us not stereotype the over one billion Muslims around the world because of the evil acts of a few. A decision like this one, to support or not support the construction of this center, defines who we are as a nation. It’s at the essence of our values, our freedom of expression, freedom of religion and religious tolerance.”

I for one believe he is absolutely right.  Who are we to restrict the religious freedoms of our own fellow Americans.  These terrorist believed in a radical ideal.  They attempted to rationalize it by their INTENSE religious beliefs.  Intensity is not the same as devotion.

This debate is a very important one.  We as a nation always claim to have “learned” from the mistakes of slavery.  This will help determine if America truly has.  It was under similar guise that the Southern slave trade was rationalized.  The South has always been a hot bed for intense Christian belief, even through slavery.  Religious scripture and bible verses were used to support the practice and enslave a people for over 400 years.  The same could be said for the Holocust and the hundreds of years conflict between Israeli’s and Palestinians.  As Simmons points out, we must use this and other such opportunities for dialog.

“I have worked tirelessly to promote dialogue among different ethnic groups all over the world, particularly Jews and Muslims. We have witnessed the power of the fostering of this dialogue. We know that we must fight Antisemitism and Islamaphobia together and at the same time. We welcome and support this cultural center, as it will continue constructive conversations around a moderate approach to co-existence between all people, regardless of religious preference. In fact, we strongly feel that this center will bridge the divide that many of our nation’s citizens have with the Islamic faith.”

Ok Simmons is making up words with his “Islamaphobia” and might be stretching it to believe the center will somehow extend an olive branch but his points are valid.    Let them build he says…and I agree, then again I didn’t lose a love one on that fateful day.