While liberal elites focus on the soon-to-rise Cordoba mosque near the site of the destroyed Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and see it as a symbol of religious tolerance, liberty and interfaith understanding, other issues have been pushed to the sidelines – issues that may appear trivial, perhaps even foolish to us, but which resonate throughout the Arab and Muslim world.

The New York authorities could have declared the location a nationally-protected historic site but chose not to do so; and there is no question that Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf (the son of a founding member of the Muslim Brotherhood under Hasan al Banna in Egypt in 1928) and his supporters have both the legal and constitutional right to build the mosque wherever they wish; but there are other questions that merit serious attention – one of which is why Rauf (despite declaring his intention to foster greater religious tolerance, pluralism, inter-religious dialogue and understanding) would demonstrate such insensitivity and lack of reverence by choosing to build this mosque near a site where, on 9/11/2001, 2,700 New Yorkers were incinerated by radical Islamic terrorists.

One is also entitled to be suspicious about his motives, given his refusal to recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization, his claim that U.S. foreign policy was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and his support for "progressive" Muslim intellectuals like Qatar-based Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi the Muslim Brotherhood's spiritual guide and a favorite of the Saudi royal family. Qaradawi's fatwas, for example, call for the execution of Muslim reformers as apostates, the killing of American troops in Iraq, suicide bombings in Israel, and the rejection of secularism in Islamic societies.

Moreover, even the liberal website Elaph has raised this issue. Lebanese journalist Joseph Bishara wrote recently that Rauf does not really believe in tolerance and is deceiving the public based on the Islamic principle of taqiyya (concealing one's true beliefs) – that is, he is hiding his real intentions, which are to spread Islam in the U.S. while exploiting the liberties granted him by the U.S. Constitution. Noteworthy is Rauf's intention to raise funds for the $100M 13-story Islamic Center from the most authoritarian, least religiously tolerant Arab regimes in the Middle East. Does anyone actually believe that fostering "religious tolerance and pluralism" is a major selling-point in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar and especially with the Saudis who have spent an estimated $100 billion in petro-dollars over the past thirty-five years to spread radical Islamic dawa (proselytizing) through mosques and madrasses worldwide? The more probable answer is the aim of institutionalizing Sharia in America.

If the Saudis and the other Gulf Emirates are really prepared to put millions towards this project in the interests of promoting religious tolerance, wouldn't a better way be to allow a church, synagogue or multicultural center to be built in Mecca? But don't wait for that to happen any time soon: there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia, nor are visits by non-believers to the sacred sites of Mecca and Medina allowed; so the argument that the Saudis and the others might consider funding the Center as symbolic support for religious tolerance and pluralism in Islam defies credibility. It is more likely that any financial support emanating from these countries will be geared to promoting jihadi Salafist Islam and the acceptance of Sharia Law in America. Consequently any financial support from these regimes for this project should be suspect. It would be tragic if the same channels that seek to build the Cordoba Mosque also underwrote the attacks that made it necessary to build a memorial.

Consider as well the historical and religious symbolism this mosque projects throughout the Islamic world. For centuries, the rallying cry of Islamists has been to reclaim their lost medieval Islamic Empire in Southern Spain, known in Islamic history as Andalusia (Al-Andalus). Osama Bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri and virtually all proponents of jihadi Salafist Islam speak incessantly of restoring Al-Andalus. So to radical Islamists, a mosque rising near Ground Zero, well before a new World Trade Center has even begun being constructed, symbolizes Islamic triumphalism and supremacy -- part of a long tradition of minarets built over the conquered religious sites of enemies.

In 630 AD, Muslims captured Islam's holiest city, Mecca, and erected a mosque at the Ka'aba - the site of a building reputedly built by the Patriarch Abraham.

The great mosque at Cordoba was built over the Christian Church of St. Vincent.

The eighth century Al-Aqsa Mosque rests on the site of the destroyed Jewish Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The Ayasofya Mosque was built over the Byzantine Christian Hagia Sophia basilica in Istanbul.

And the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus was constructed over the remains of what was once the Church of St. John the Baptist.

As these mosques were built to symbolize Islamic conquest over the religion of conquered peoples throughout the ages, the Cordoba mosque near the 9/11 site will be seen in the Arab and Muslim world as symbolic of Islamic supremacy in the face of American weakness and appeasement.

So while we are waiting for Imam Rauf's great Islamic Renaissance to unfold, perhaps it might be better to prepare for the videos that might soon begin appearing throughout the Arab world, portraying images of the Cordoba Mosque transposed over the ruins of the World Trade Center. We can expect it to be another hit, as was the anti-Semitic thirty-part TV series "Horseman Without a Horse," based on the Protocols of the Elders of Zion forgery, and shown throughout the Arab world during Ramadan in the months following 9/11.

Building this mosque in that place may be legal, but this does not make it right; we too easily dismiss its symbolic value to our enemies. Contrary to popular belief, the proposed mosque does not represent "the audacity of hope" or symbolize religious tolerance; nor will it assist us in avoiding another "misunderstanding" similar to that which "caused" two passenger planes to crash into the World Trade Center on 9/11. Rather, it represents a cold disregard for the worst disaster in American history; an insult to the United States and to the memory of those who died that day, and a symbolic victory for those who continue to justify murder in the name of religion.

There are thousands of sites in New York City where another mosque could be built without the Ground Zero resonance, but that, it seems, would defeat the purpose of building it near that location.

As an ironic side-effect, the Cordoba mosque will actually reinforce the connection between the events of 9/11 and Islam. Additionally, the fact that Muslims will be celebrating the joyous holiday of Eid al-Fatr, marking the end of Ramadan, on or near September 11th this year, will make this connection even more apparent. As Raymond Ibrahim notes: "The greater lesson of the 9/11 mosque is that, so long as Islamists rock the boat and bring attention to themselves - even through non-violent means - (the more) they risk exposing themselves."

This article was originally published by the Hudson Institute (NY) at www.hudson-ny.org.

Mark Silverberg is a foreign policy analyst for the Ariel Center for Policy Research (Israel) and the author of "The Quartermasters of Terror: Saudi Arabia and the Global Islamic Jihad". His articles have been archived under www.marksilverberg.com and www.analyst-network.com

Total Comments: 18 

18. Give us proof of peace
Datha, Louisiana, USA (09/13/10)

Give us proof of peace. If the Imam wants us to believe there is a moderate sect of Muslims who are "peace-loving ", then why aren't the newspapers filled with Muslim voices condemning acts such as honor killings, execution of apostates, stonings of adulterers and other barbaric practices? Not to mention terrorism? Where are their voices of condemnation on the airwaves and internet?

17. Ground Zero Mosque
M. Schwarzkopf, Los Angeles (09/12/10)

71% of Americans do NOT want this mosque to go up at this location. The phony disguise of a cultural center for understanding is a ruse. I agree with the article 100%. I even question the legality of it, since I consider it a threat to our security.

16. They're trying to do in America what they've done all over Europe
Barry, Londonistan, UK (09/12/10)

They're trying to do in America what they've done all over Europe. In the UK, we've shifted from a Judeo-Christian country to a Muslim-Christian country. It happened very gradually since the late 1960's when they first started coming over here. They don't contribute to a country. They take away. They bring with them the concept of Jihad, something that does not exist in any other religion. As well as that, honor killings, anti-Semitism, Sharia law and the worst of the lot - terrorism. You see there is no such thing as reform, liberal or conservative Islam. The same product that is preached on the bloody streets of Pakistan is on the streets of New York. Any Imam trying to reform it would be killed. In the UK, they've got the establishment on their side - Civil Service, MPs in parliament, Trade Union Congress - boycotting Israel etc, George Galloway. This is what life looks like when they get control. Don't let them do it!! Fight!

15. Where are the Muslim moderates?
AT, Jersey City (09/12/10)

Where are the Muslim moderates? Where is the condemnation of Muslim threats of murder in response to "pastor" Jones? Where were the voices of moderation asking the Muslim community to ignore one ostracized pastor? Where were the voices opposing calls for jihad, murder of infidels, bombings in the US? Where was the Muslim outreach?

14. Building the Mosque Is Illegal
Mike, Los Angeles (09/12/10)

Building the Mosque is illegal. The SCOTUS ruled a number of years ago that any action even allowed by law if it leads to emotional distress of others is illegal.

13. The Towers went down, because leftist/liberals/progressive appeased Islamo-Nazis
JK, USA (09/08/10)

12. Building a mosque at Ground Zero??
Alyn, Toronto (09/08/10)

Building a mosque at Ground Zero?? Yes, we know they have the legal right to do so. But then so did the Nazis who wanted to march in the Skokie neighborhood where concentration camp survivors lived. But is this mosque going to bring the religions together or is it just a symbol of Muslim supremacy and American stupidity?

11. Its Audacity
Widget, USA (09/08/10)

It’s audacity. If all Muslims moved to China that community center would be built anyway. The memorial in Pennsylvania mimics a crescent moon and star. The President has a familiar Arabic name. Read between the lines. Promoting Islam, especially in US/Europe is status quo and it's done by the West. Think this way: if John Wayne and Superman America were hype which masked globalism then what is Obama/Osama? Mayor Bloomberg says it's a protected right, freedom of religion, and the whole affair is pre-election political grandstanding. That's true, but not entirely true. Promoting Islam in the US is antagonism of John Wayne Americans. During global recession which brings long term higher unemployment in the US, Americans are being methodically demoralized. You have to see through it.

10. Cordoba Mosque=Ground Zero Mosque
Andrew, USA (09/08/10)

History has proven that Islam holds triumphalist symbolism as very important going all the way back to Mohammad's campaign against Mecca in the 7th Century. I don't know why we are even debating this in America...other than we have totally been given over to foolishness. It's our own fault as a people for rejecting the God of the Bible and His righteousness...and now we are paying Homage to the pagan Babylonian moon god, Allah. We truly are committing the sins of Solomon.

9. Remember when King Hezekiah invited the Babylonians
Gary, Monterey, CA (09/07/10)

Remember when King Hezekiah invited the Babylonians to view the treasures in the Temple. Isaiah had a fit! And the Babylonians later invaded Israel and took the booty. That's what is happening in NYC. The Islamic bunch is doing the same thing!

8. The mosque has been planned before 9/11
Mariam, NYC (09/07/10)

The Mosque has been planned before 9/11, and it is in a Muslim neighborhood where Muslims live and work. People want to pray on their own turf. I would. It does not hurt Ground Zero as it is too far away. NYC blocks are very long.

7. $100 billion in petro-dollars
, (09/07/10)

$100 billion in petro-dollars. Pump gas = funding. Funding used for other murderous endeavors, weapons purchases etc...Still waiting for the mass production of the ever elusive non-petro ICE which would bring an end to the global black gold blackmailing monopoly.

6. A Mosque Honoring Islam at Ground Zero is a Second Attack on our 3,000 Innocents
Linda Rivera, New York (09/06/10)

A Mosque honoring Islam at Ground Zero is a second attack on our 3,000 Innocents murdered without mercy by the followers of Islam. The sorrow, tears and pain of our 9/11 families and ALL Americans is greatly intensified by a Victory Mosque at Ground Zero. We will never forget the horrific deaths suffered by our cherished 3,000 American brothers and sisters by the followers of Islam and never forget that thousands of Palestinian Authority Muslims celebrated the murders, dancing in the streets, firing in the air and passing out candy. Some Muslims celebrated in America and other countries. We will never forget that thousands of PA Muslims in Gaza also celebrated the murder of innocent Jews last week and celebrate by the thousands whenever Jews are blown up by Muslim terrorist killers.

5. Tolerant Islam: Saudi Arabia shreds ALL Bibles found on anyone at the airport
Linda Rivera, New York (09/06/10)

Tolerant Islam: Saudi Arabia shreds ALL Bibles found on anyone at the airport. In the Islamic invasion of Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, Judea, Muslims tore up Bibles for toilet paper.

4. Islam is illegal
Bill H, Leeco Fl (09/06/10)

Islam is illegal. It is intimidation and coercion to murder and steal from Jews, Christians and other religions. It is just like the mafia. Politicians have been derelict in their duty to declare that Islam is illegal.
Public prosecutors in Israel and the west are derelict in their duty which is to prosecute organized Islam and maintain a ban of Islam, throughout the west.

3. Mosque Abomination
Janice, Denver (09/06/10)

They have the right to build. We all have rights. Higher than one's "right" is brotherly love, compassion and just being a "good neighbor ". We've seen the world violence since the '70's. Muslims not good neighbors.

2. The Islamists can expose themselves all they want.
(09/06/10)

The Islamists can expose themselves all they want. As the liberal media refuses to acknowledge this as Muslim triumphalism, it will stifle opposition to stopping such projects. A ray of hope exists. Should a future president with his head not bowing to a Saudi dictator come to office and realize that a great injustice has been committed, the backlash to tear down that building may give Israelis weak-spined leaders the confidence to do the same with the mosque on our Temple Mount. It’s hard to be the first; it’s hard to be a Nachshon. Who knows, maybe General Dayan's aura will be revised in history books as a weak-minded general who also illegally hoarded antiquities. His collection was said to rival that of the Israeli Museum.

1. bam bam
michael jon, klo tx (09/06/10)

The worst disaster in America's history is the election of Obama.