"Islam is not the enemy, al Qaida is."

One of the editorial columnists that I most love to disagree with is Charles Krauthammer. Today, in the AJC he jumped on the bandwagon (along with Newt) of outrage that Muslims would build a multimillion dollar mosque and Islamic center in lower Manhattan. They say that Ground Zero is hallowed ground. Build it anywhere else in Manhattan, they say, but it would be just too painful for the families of the dead and too much of an affront to the sacred space that this now has become -- thereby perpetuating the myth that it was Islam that did it, rather than radicalized extremists.

Krauthammer waxes, for him, almost poetic in saying that it is the sacrifice of the victims that turns this into a place that should be held sacred, a place to contemplate and (he almost seemed to say: "to worship") -- like Auschwitz or Gettysburg.

He has a point . . . up to a point. If all of lower Manhattan had been set aside and dedicated to a memorial to those who died, I would join their opposition to building a mosque and Islamic center within that site -- just as I would any other sectarian religious edifices.

But Ground Zero will have its memorials and its space. Where the muslims want to build is some blocks away from there -- in the midst of private, commercial buildings and bustling traffic. If they do not build on this site, it's likely that someone will build an office building or a bank or -- who knows -- an army recruiting center.

As reported on MSNBC online:

President Barack Obama on Friday endorsed plans for a Muslim mosque two blocks from ground zero in New York City, declaring that "Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country."

Speaking at a White House dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Obama said all Americans have the right to worship as they choose.

"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances, Obama said. "This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable." . . .

Obama acknowledged the fiery emotions the planned mosque and cultural center have stoked.

"Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground," the president said.

"But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

Obama said Islam is not the enemy, al-Qaida is.

I agree. Mayor Blumberg and Governor Cuomo also support the right of the Muslims to build there. What could better show respect for those who died on 9/11 than a house of worship and a center dedicated to sharing Islamic culture and educating us about the positive aspects of Islam? I think the Anti-Defamation League, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin and all the fear-mongers have got it wrong -- fear-mongering, that's what it is.

Ralph