Jackson Heights Muslims Break Their Silence About Controversial Mosque
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As with other New Yorkers, Muslims in Jackson Heights, Queens and across the city seem to be split over whether plans for the mosque near the World Trade Center site should proceed. Borough reporter Ruschell Boone filed the following report. It is hard to get people in the Jackson Heights Muslim community to talk about the controversy surrounding a proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near the World Trade Center, but some residents are breaking their silence to say it might be time for a compromise.
"We have to see the other side also. We have to see our neighbors also," said one Muslim. "If they compromise to go to another site, then it's not a big deal, you know?"
"Yeah, they can make some kind of compromise, but I don't really see a problem there," said another. "But if I was in the position of the victims, then I think I would think differently."
Even though some would like to see an agreement, they all said their ultimate preference is for the mosque to be built at the current location. However, with the bitter battle showing no signs of ending, some Muslims told NY1 they just want to keep the peace and end the political squabble surrounding the issue.
"We don't want any fights, so it's a good decision to move," said a Jackson Heights resident.
The majority of the Muslims who spoke with NY1 did not feel that way. Many believed the mosque founders are right in their commitment to stay at the current location.
"I feel like by moving it away, you're sending a very wrong message to people of other faiths also. That, 'If we don't like you being there, move,'" said a Muslim.
Imam Charles Aziz Bilal, who runs a mosque in Jamaica, Queens and is a board member of the New York City Council of Imams, believes the mosque developers should not be forced to move.
"I don't think that the brother who is in charge of the development should even consider moving," said Bilal.
The imam also believes the project will serve as a gesture of goodwill.
"To not only people in this country, but the world also, [by showing] that Islam is not the guilty religion. It's not the religion you should point to as being a terrorist religion," said Bilal.
Most opponents of the mosque, however, would say the issue is not one of religion, but one of location.