-By Paul A. Ibbetson
Right now at ground zero in New York a battle over the construction of buildings following 9/11 is raging. It is hard to believe that almost nine years following the Islamic attacks that took thousands of American lives, post-9/11 construction has moved at the speed of a dying snail. Even more perplexing than the failure of New York officials to take on aggressive construction projects to breathe life back into areas destroyed by 9/11 is the proposed mega mosque building project only blocks away from ground zero.
It’s times like these that a person has to shake his head and wonder, “Are you just trying to provoke me?” From Voice of America News, Carolyn Weaver reports on the plans of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, president of what has been called the Cordoba Initiative to create a mega mosque and community center near ground zero. In Weaver’s report, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf attempts to frame the mega mosque as though it will be a cultural meeting point for as many non-Muslims as followers of Islam. With the long history of Islamic intolerance of what they consider non-believers, Rauf’s sales pitch demands a high level of scrutiny. To get further compliance, Rauf claims that those who oppose a mega mosque being built on the ashes of 9/11are Islamophobes. This is an insult to America’s dead and deserves a healthy rebuke, which I am ready to give.
Without question Imam Rauf is attempting to crack the political correctness whip on the backs of Americans in the hopes that fear of the bigot brand will allow Islamic expansion into what Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs has properly termed a “war memorial.” The idea forwarded by proponents that unity and tolerance can be achieved by building a mega mosque where Americans were butchered by Islamic radicals has the same tasteful appeal as building a Nazi gift shop at Auschwitz. So why create a religious supercenter in the most inflammatory place it could be built in America?
The answer is to make a religious statement of supremacy by expanding mosque construction in areas of cultural and historical significance. This is not just an issue within the United States. James Delingpole of Human Events talks at length about the Islamic push for mega mosque construction near the site of the 2012 Olympics in England. On Pajamas Media Television in an interview with Baroness Caroline Cox, councilor Alan Craig, who spearheaded the opposition to the London super mosque project, aptly alluded to the fact that the mega mosques go far beyond benign meeting places of worship to what can be interpreted as overt symbols of Islamic expansion.
Once again showing her moxie in the face of the politically correct whips, Sarah Palin called for New Yorkers to oppose the mega mosque at ground zero. After Sarah Palin, GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio stepped up in opposition to the mosque and called for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to investigate Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf. If preliminary research on Rauf is any indication, the attorney general would be wise to take a long, hard look at the Imam who is rolling out the construction plans for the super mosque in New York.
As Aaron Klein of WorldNetDaily reports, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf appears to be nothing short of a proselytizing Islamic radical. According to Klein, Rauf has publicly blamed America for 9/11, refused to recognize Hamas as a terrorist group and even was quoted as refusing to admit that Muslims carried out the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Even Rauf’s 2004 book titled “What’s Right with Islam is What’s Right with America” had a radically dark Arabic title when published overseas, “The Call From the WTC Rubble: Islamic Da’wah From The Heart of America Post-9/11.”Imam Feisel Abdul Rauf’s books, in combination with the super mosque project, congeal into nothing short of a two-headed snake that will strike all in its domain or a rabid dog raising its haunch to mark new territory.
Either way it’s dangerous, deadly business that carries the unique, foul odor of anti-Americanism. The American people have no inclination, requirement or duty to be tolerant of such an aggressive affront to the dignity of our dead by those who would perpetuate the same mentality that has brought such pain to our people. The territorial mark of a mega mosque at ground zero in New York should be met with complete and utter rejection.
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Paul A. Ibbetson is a former Chief of Police of Cherryvale, Kansas, and member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force. Paul received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, and is currently completing his PhD. in sociology at Kansas State University. Paul is the author of the books Living Under The Patriot Act: Educating A Society and Feeding Lions: Sharing The Conservative Philosophy In A Politically Hostile World. Paul is also the radio host of the Kansas Broadcasting Association’s 2008, 2009 and 2010 Entertainment Program of the Year, Conscience of Kansas airing on KSDB Manhattan 91.9 f.m. www.ibbetsonusa.com. For interviews or questions, please contact ibbetson91.9@gmail.com