"Don't they realize this is bigotry? When you scapegoat Muslim Americans for the act of foreign terrorists, it's like scapegoating all Christians for the acts of Timothy McVeigh." -The mother of a Muslim American firefighter that died while helping people out of the World Trade Centers.
Interesting clip. I definitely agree that it offers insight to both side of the issue. Their use of Muslims who also lost loved one on 9/11 is especially effective. I personally think both sides have valid arguments. However, when so many Americans, of varying faiths, are emotionally involved in situations such as the one in New York it is difficult for a rational decision to be reached. For each group of people the mosque represents something different. Right, or wrong, to many who were effected by 9/11 a mosque is a bitter reminder of the acts of hatred that took place that day. While for others it is a sacred place of worship. This is definitely a very controversial issue and I don't see it being resolved anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI found this video clip to be especially interesting considering our recent reading and discussion of "The Common Word" which embodies the attempted reconciliation of peace between the Christian and Muslim faiths. After viewing this clip, I agree with Maddy in that there is definitely no right or wrong solution to this problem nor does there seem to be an end to this debate in sight. To many people the building of a Mosque near Ground Zero serves as a reminder of the terrorist attacks against their nation but to others it simply functions as a place of worship. This begs the question of where to draw the line and also, as the video clip explains, how far is enough? The answer to this question is hardly easy to answer. I understand both the perspectives of those who are in favor of the Mosque's construction and those that are opposed. I think it is important for those strictly opposed to remember that the Imam behind the project is a Muslim American who was also effected by the devastation of 9/11. In other words, I do not think it is fair for Americans to transfer their anger towards terrorists to that of their fellow Americans just because they share the same religious background as these individuals. Essentially, what those in opposition to the Mosque are doing is making inferences on these individuals based on their membership within the Muslim faith. From any perspective, this issue is multifaceted, not to mention extremely controversial.
ReplyDeleteI found this video to be very interesting. I think it is sad that people are protesting the rights of Muslims to practice their religion; especially since the acts of terrorists to do not represent the beliefs of most Muslims. The protestors seem to overlook this detail and blame all Muslims for 9/11. However, I thought that the video did a good job of presenting both sides of the argument. I also agree with Maddy; including the interviews with Muslim Americans, whose loved ones were also victims of 9/11, strengthened the impact of the report. I am interested to see how this debate will continue and if the Islamic community will get the funding to build a mosque.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the above posts: this topic is very controversial. I think it is interesting to hear from the American firefighter's mother. I think Americans get lost in racial stereotypes, and the interview forces listeners to reevaluate their claims of ALL Muslims being bad. In response to what should be done, I don't think I can answer that. I feel that not only should those who had family/friends in the Twin Towers be asked for their opinion, but that those who had family/friends that helped to save people should also be interviewed.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of how people feel on this matter, I think the most important thing to remember is that the Muslims have religious freedom in the US just like everyone else. Just because foreign terrorists that share a diverse religion with these people attacked our country doesn't mean that these muslims weren't also attacked. I don't think that it matters how close or how far away this mosque is. It will still be there and the muslims in the area reserve that right as American citizens.
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