An imam emerged from a prayer session downtown today and said the developer should be conducting more outreach to quiet critics. An imam who is consulting the developer. Opponents of Park51 should see this as a positive. There has been - and will continue to be - much scrutiny and attention paid to this project. And with so much at stake, including Mayor Bloomberg's reputation in some circles, I've a feeling more concerns will be addressed very soon.

After forming a non-profit group to lead the fundraising, an imam working with developers of the Islamic center and mosque planned for two blocks from the World Trade Center site announced today that the congregation pledged more than $10,000 in donations in just fifteen minutes.

The imam, Abdallah Adhami, also called for "more transparency" and acknowledged Park51 developers should "start talking more openly" to "answer questions" from opponents of the project.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bloomberg is in Martha's Vineyard playing golf with President Obama. A White House spokesman said the two did not discuss the controversial plans before teeing off.

Do you agree developers could do a better job reaching out to the public? If you oppose the project, would more transparency over funding soften your stance? If you were with Obama and Bloomberg today, what question would you ask about the project?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I don't understand why the developers should feel obliged in any way to reach out to the public, or what the "public's" interest is in this project. I do see a few thousand bigots (and probably a few clinical paranoids) who have gotten a lot of attention from the press, and managed -- with a lot of help from Rupert Murdoch and some less responsible people -- to sway the opinion of a public that doesn't know enough about ANY of the parties involved to decide anything reasonably. But they don't have anything to say about what happens there. Would you be asking these questions of a Catholic or Jewish congregation?

I say welcome to Manhattan, and good luck. And I'm Jewish and will likely use some of the services offered by the center.

Bruce
Upper West Side
Manhattan

As a Muslim, and especially at this time when Muslims are fasting the month of Ramadan and are supposed to be even more sympathetic toward the suffering of others, I'm appalled that the developers of the proposed Islamic Center/Mosque are so unsympathetic toward the sentiments of the families who lost loved ones on 9/11.

There is a huge number of African American Muslims (like myself), and others, who are in opposition to the insistence of the developer to build so close to ground zero. Yes they have the right, but just because you have the right doesn't mean that it's always the "right" thing to do.

Imam Yusuf
Jamaica, New York

I've grown very tired of this subject, yes funding should be transparent, just let the Islamic center be build already, tis the American Way!

Felix
Bay Ridge

Its none of our business were they got their money as long as its not Illegal. Why the double standards? Investors or donors do like their business all over the place.

Dw
Queens

I think more people are wondering and will never believe they didnt talk about everything-what Obama wants done- So Please no -one belives much from the repreats from the white house- I mean what would Obama want with Bloomberg- hmm? Since hey Bloomy really isn't one who lives his Faith -So Obama knows this and will make whatever he wants seem to the good of the country blah blah blah and all politics and what does bloomy want for the future after the Mayorship??? Hmm? Lets get serious Obama has Party and Council members now called Czars -9 of them one for education- which is also the head of the GLSON - - Obama should just be more honest and let all the people know his private agenda, which only wants our American money.

Colleen
Rockaway park

People not in their favor is giving them a hard time, it's useless.

Anna
Kips Bay

Hi John,

These politicians are giving me more than a headache. What nerve all of these people have. This president and this mayor think that we are all stupid. No one can tell me that this doesn't look like and probably is a conspiracy against Americans and most of all us New Yorkers. How many times can they disrespect us. Plus I hope they are not looking for us over taxed citizens to contribute. These people are so out of touch. I can't stand looking at them, seeing or hearing them anymore. Believe me we can all do without them.

thank you again John

maxxiee
mp

if I were with obama and Bloomberg today I would ask them how much money in campaign money they have received from muslim sources legally and illegaly.

Eddie from Brooklyn

Thx-

transparency for this- and all gov't-related- would help- me- greatly

re ques'n to Pres O & mayor B- with the caveat That both had been given "trith serum"-
1- to mayor- Is religious freedom really why u are pro Park 51?- if not- what swayed u to that positon?
2- to Prez-
- what- at it's deepest urge- prompted ur run for the presidency?
- what- at it's deepest level- made u Want to remove the manger scene from the White House- last Christmas ?

Thx
- Theresa
E Vill

I could launch into one of my usual diatribes. But after reading Bruce from the UWS comments I'll just say that he has it correct, in my opinion.

But I will add that I would really like to see the federal government start TAXING every single "religious" square foot of property and "business" everywhere in the USA.

Peace sooner or later,
Nick
Hell's K.

people are crazy. it really seems that the "ground zero mosque" is a distraction. where was all the protest and voices of concern from around the country when new york was not granted federal funding

monique from bronx, ny

The whole idea of a mosque being built at a place where the cry for battle was "Glory to Allah" is obsene. In the meantime, they're hardballing a church from being built, a church that was there originally. This is bizarre!!!

Anonymous

This has become a political and people issue. This again has nothing to do with Religious Freedom. It has to do with the proximity of where they want to build this Mosque. And where so many peoples lives were taken. Being a religious people, one would think that they would be sensitive to what happened on 911.

Linda
Upper east side

This shouldn't even be an issue. Transparency might help, but frankly this is a private project on private property - my opinion or anyone else's should be moot. The people against this should really look into their own hearts and ask themselves why they oppose a mosque that is of an entirely different sect from the terrorists that attack the WTC. The people who lost loved ones on September 11th should be blaming Al Qaeda, not Islam. Also, the Republican's foray into Iraq (a war based entirely on choice) has cost America more lives than were lost on September 11. Perhaps we should be looking more closely at the Republican Party than mainstream Islam.

Sincerely,
Tim from Inwood in upper Manhattan, not the town in Long Island.

Calling anyone who disagrees with this project, a bigot, shows how narrow-minded the proponents of this project really are. Addressing the prior caller, if you read the Koran you’d know it does not stand for love– it calls those who are non-believers in Islam, “Infidels”.

Rob
Manhattan

It seems to me that a big part of the problem here is the publics' lack of knowledge about what is being planned. I think that those who are concerned should seek the knowledge from the source, in this case the developers and not wait for them (or manipulative politicians) to explain themselves. And the first person in line to inform themselves should be our mayor.

Andy, Great Kills

John

It doesn't matter where the funds are coming from. I fear we will NEVER really know where the money trails begins and ends with so many fingers in the pie. What is at the heart of the issue is that the muslims are insistent to build irregardless of the feelings and considerations of those who lost loved ones on 9-11. They will not endear themselves to most New Yorkers. Emperor Bloomberg does NOT speak for many of us.

Alvin
Brooklyn

I'm so sick of this whole thing!
It's fear mongering at it's best!
These people are Muslims born in America!
They have EVERY RIGHT to build this center
as would a Jew, Christian, or Hindi community would have!!!
STOP the HATE! Where is the love of fellow man?
This land was made for YOU and ME!!

Addie C.
Staten Island New York

should churches be allowed in ireland, where phony christians have long killed each other because god said it was a good idea? should we allow a religious memorial in oklahoma city, where timmy mcveigh killed women and babies on god's go-ahead? anyone want to decide?

deb
jackson heights

NOW I GET IT....THIS IS THE REWARD FOR 1-SELLING OUT THE MAJORITY OF US AGAINST THE MOSQUE & 2-HAVING HIS OWN IFTAR DINNER TO HONOR THE DEVELOPERS OF THE CORDOBA INITIATIVE.... A GOLF PLAYDATE WITH OBAMA...

DO YOU SEE HIM FOR WHAT HE IS? A SHAMELESS, POMPOUS, ARROGANT EXCUSE FOR A PERSON. HE OBVIOUSLY HAS AN AGENDA OF HIS OWN. NO REAL SURPRISE HERE.
WHAT AN A$$ KI$$ER.... A DISGRACE & DISAPPOINMENT TO BE SURE, BUT NO SURPRISE.

Marie
Bay Ridge

Yes I do believe developers could do a better job reaching out to the public. As for Bloomberg, I would not like to ask him a question but rather say to him, its time for him to start packing and leave office, we don't need him no more.

Ruthann
Queens

I need to answer to 2 phone calls: One from Adida and the other from Richie from Bellarose. Adida said "little thing" I'm sure she was not referring to 9/11 but she meant one small percentage of Muslims who did terrorist acts. So she basically wanted to say, we cannot blame a whole religion for the act of few.

As far what Richie said when he was talking about "people dancing on the streets" after 9/11 that footage of Palestinian kids dancing on the streets was a taken in 1993 for a completely different event and has nothing to do with 9/11. It was sent to the media on 9/11 to simply create a propaganda.

As far as my opinion regarding this "controversy" I think sensitivity has nothing to do with it and for Muslims to renounce this project under pressure it's like admitting that Islam has to do with 9/11 which is not the case.

Nader from Brooklyn.

I HAVE LOTS OF MUSLIM FRIENDS WE SIT TOGETHER EAT IN ONE PLATE, AS BEING CHRISTIAN DOES NOT MAKE ME THAT I HATE MUSLIM BUT I LOVE THEM TO MY HEART. THATS JESUS CHRIST MASSEGE IS IN THE BIBLE, AND THE BIBLE DOES NOT TEACH HATE BUT TO LOVE. BUT QURAN IS TEACHING IT IN surat ali imran 3:118. Jesus Christ loves all.

Victor M.

PLEASE NOTE: THE MOSQUE BEGAN AS "THE CORDOBA PROJECT". WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THE USE OF THE NAME "CORDOBA" ALLUDES UNMISTAKABLY TO THE EXPULSION OF THE MUSLIMS FROM SPAIN, WHEN THEY WERE FORCED TO ABANDON THEIR RULE, AND THE ALHAMBRA, THEIR MOST EXQUISITE ARCHITECTURAL ACHIEVEMENT AT THE TIME (AND POSSIBLY EVER). THAT EVENT IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF ISLAMIC SUPREMACY AND A DECLINE TO ITS PRESENT STATE. IT HAS SINCE THEN PRODUCED SHAME AND A DESIRE FOR REVENGE ON THE PART OF MANY MUSLIMS, WHO ARE GENERALLY SENSITIVE TO THE FAILURES OF THEIR PRESENT SOCIETY.

"THE CORDOBA MOSQUE" IS INTENDED TO SIGNAL TO THE WORLD THAT ISLAM HAS CONQUERED ITS HISTORIC ENEMIES, NOW THEIR WESTERN "OPPRESSORS." THIS STARK SYMBOLISM SHOULD STAND OUT, ABOVE ALL THE PROTESTATIONS OF THE BUILDERS OF A DESIRE TO "BUILD BRIDGES" AND TO PROMOTE "HEALING." AT THE SITE OF ARGUABLY ISLAM'S GREATEST VICTORY TO DATE, THESE CLAIMS ARE 0FFENSIVELY INSINCERE, TO SAY THE LEAST.

THE PROJECT'S REALTOR AND PROJECT INITIATOR, SHARIF EL-GAMAL, HAS SAID IN A TELEVISED INTERVIEW, "THIS WILL BE THE MOST FAMOUS MOSQUE IN THE WORLD!" AND WHY WOULD THAT BE??? HIS MOTIVATIONS SEEM TO BE LESS ALTRUISTIC THAN HE CLAIMS.

JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE HORRIFIC PAST EVENT IS THE DANGEROUS FUTURE EFFECT: THIS MOSQUE WILL BE LESS A PLACE OF WORSHIP THAN A MAGNET FOR ISLAMIC RADICALS EVERYWHERE.

IF ANY MUSLIMS CLAIM OTHERWISE, THEY ARE IN DEEP DENIAL ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 11TH.

YES, NEW YORK AND THE USA HAVE THE MOST GENEROUS, TOLERANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AS CITIZENS, AND THESE PEOPLE ARE ABUSING THAT GENEROSITY. I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS PROJECT WILL PRODUCE ANYTHING BUT VIOLENT CONTENTION.


MARGARET
UPPER WEST SIDE,
MANHATTAN

After the sick attack by a deranged idiot on a Muslim cab driver, Mayor Bloomberg says he wants to 'dispel the notion that the city suffers from anti-Muslim prejudice.' So I'd ask the Mayor why he and other Opponents of a Peaceful Compromise have been repeating the simple-minded lie that Supporters of a Peaceful Settlement are bigots who 'blame all Muslims for 911?'
I'd ask the Mayor this. Suppose he had a daughter in college. Yes, his daughter has the right to walk through Central Park alone late at night. Suppose the Mayor passionately encouraged her to exercise that right, and one night she was attacked. We'd all support the police in punishing her attacker, but would the Mayor regret not speaking to the lack of wisdom of her legally rightful behavior? The Ground Zero Mosque has predictably inflamed tensions. CAIR admits the heated situation endangers Muslims. So I'd ask why Bloomberg has refused to deal with a worsening diplomatic disaster, babbling about abstract religious freedom instead of the real world inflammation that Sarah Palin wisely called an 'unnecessary provocation.'
I don't know what this would involve legally, but I'd ask Bloomberg to personally vouch for Cordoba by bankrolling the Mosque himself.
Lastly, I'd ask the Mayor why he didn't fight to save St. Vincent's Hospital--top-rated Crisis Management Center, vitally important on 9/11--the way he fights for the Ground Zero Mosque.
I'd ask Obama: Since all Muslims are not terrorists, why are we killing innocent Muslim civilians in Afghanistan with drone attacks? I mean, since the relationship between Islam and Radical Islam is such a cut-and-dry question (snark). I'd ask what role he played as Commander-in-Chief in General Petraeus' decision to revamp rules of engagement in Afghanistan, increasing the safety of our troops but at the expense of higher civilian casualties. Did Petraeus extract this policy change as a condition of agreeing to replace McChrystal, and if so, why didn't the President refuse and just keep McChrystal? (Note: Under McChrystal, policy was to limit airstrikes if they endanger civilians, even if our troops are pinned down in a Taliban ambush.)
Lastly, I'd ask Obama: given the brutal realities of Afghan War, is the Pollyana symbolism of the Ground Zero Mosque a grotesque lie? Are you willing to commit us to a Pollyana Policy in the War on Terrorism? Shouldn't we embrace symbols that reflect the complex realities, instead of infantile fantasy?
I'd expect honest answers from Bloomberg. I'd expect fertilizer from the President.
Transparency is kind of irrelevant. I'd only be convinced by an FBI counter-terrorism audit. We've already seen Cordoba's ludicrous spin, so I'm not interested in damage control publicity. Cordoba can be transparent with the FBI.
I notice that some Opponents of a Peaceful Settlement are nasty in their tone. They insult great liberals like Sheldon Silver. They insult Muslims who support relocation, in effect calling them passive cowards. They imagine Harry Reid, Howard Dean, Governor Paterson and Sheldon Silver are all Sarah Palin puppets. Actually, those prominent Democrats were all behind Palin's curve.

Canaan
Manhattan

All of these remarks are very outlandish. If it was never on the news or in popular media would be ever care?
Whatever happened to private funding? As in, donations from families that work very hard for their money, and, would like to keep their children out of the streets and in a facility that provides todays youth with something progressive to do?

(Love the show)

Yours Truly:
Dio

I feel terrible about what happened on September 11, 2001. It was very devastating. However I must say NYC is a melting pot of so many cultures. Saying that the mosque should not be built is like saying you don't want muslim cab drivers or muslim it professionals near or a around ground zero. That is wrong. We cannot judge a whole group of people by the actions of a few individuals.

Laniqua
the bronx

The Islamic Mosque that is to be build near ground zero is only a SIGN OF VICTORY to show to the entire world and put it in our faces. Muslim inspired extremist took down the landmark of the most prestigious city in the world, the twin towers, while our eyes were wide open and now they are going to put up their landmark, this Islamic Mosque, next to ground zero to show the world their sign of victory and that America is handing them this on a silver platter so we can relive that moment forever. I support this country and its laws but when it comes to a very fragile and devestating issue such as this, I don't want to give them the freedom to locate their mosque in this particular location. The Muslims have the right to exercise ther religious beliefs in this country but there should be a limitation on this sensitive issue because of 911. IF THE MUSLIMS INTENTIONS ARE IN GOOD FAITH, THEN THEY WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM IN RELOCATING THE MOSQUE. I believe they have bigger plans then 911 ... just wait and see.

Abeer