The question of building of a Mosque near Ground Zero in New York City is a hot topic. The debate is a good one. However, here's a decision that has to be made beyond zoning requirements and legalities.
Granted, if the shoe was on the other foot, a Christian Cathedral or Jewish Temple would not be allowed to be built near any Islamic holy site. But their inequities and biases are not ours to debate and consider in making this decision. Let's take the higher road.
Should a mosque be allowed to build near Ground Zero? NO.
Sensitivity goes both directions. For moderate Muslims who want to show 'good will,' the sensitivity of their 'peaceful faith,' and build a mosque near Ground Zero to demonstrate it, no. There are other properties in NYC--many no doubt no much further away--where a mosque could be built and send whatever message about their faith they wish to send to whoever might be listening. But building near Ground Zero is deliberate and totally insensitive act to what happened here. It is a slap in the face to all who lost family and friends in the 9/11 act of war that was perpetrated by radical Muslims acting out of faith on all Americans.
The Japanese never sought to repair ill-will against Americans during World War 2 by building a shrine at Pearl Harbor. To my knowledge the USA hasn't built any such shrine to send a message or peace and good will to the people of Japan in or near Hiroshima, either. We certainly did a lot to rebuild Japan post-WW2, but not this.
Building a mosque near Ground Zero is ill-conceived and insensitive. You would think the furor over the idea ought to send a clear message to the Muslim community that this idea is not in any one's best interest--for healing the past or building a future in which we can all live in freedom and peace.
Sensitivity an common sense must rule the day on this.
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