Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf says peace is goal of 'ground zero' mosque, but denies the site is sacred due to 9/11

Just three days before the ninth anniversary of the deadly 9/11 attacks, the controversial Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf behind the proposed mosque and community center near New York's "ground zero" said Wednesday night he had no intention of seeking an alternative site, despite overwhelming public opinion opposition to his plan.

He said his resistance to such a suggestion was a matter of national security because to move the site would inflame radical Muslims abroad and endanger Americans and American interests. At another point during the revealing CNN interview, however, the Imam said that "nothing is off the table."

Speaking exclusively with Soledad O'Brien on "Larry King Live," the imam said the proposed mosque site two blocks from "ground zero" could not be considered sacred ground because of the seamy nature of much of the surrounding neighborhood. "You can't say a place that has strip joints is sacred ground," the imam declared.

The cleric also made these points:

Had he known in advance the mosque would create such tensions, Rauf would have ...

... gone elsewhere: "We would not have done something that would create more divisiveness. ... If I knew this would happen, this would cause this kind of pain, I wouldn't have done it. My life has been devoted to peacemaking.

O'BRIEN:  There are so many people who say, so if you're saying it was a mistake, then why can't you get out of it and not do it?

RAUF:  Because we have to now make sure that whatever we do actually results in greater peace, not in greater conflict. ... I am extremely concerned about sensitivity. But I also have a responsibility. If we move from that location, the story will be that the radicals have taken over the discourse. The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack.

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He has been in touch with some 9/11 families and intends to include a memorial to that traumatic day and its victims within the proposed new building. "We have not finalized all our plans yet. We are willing to sit down and engage and do something that will help us heal. You cannot heal a trauma by walking away from it. We have to sit down. We have to talk about it. We have to dialogue about it and find a way to move through it and beyond it.

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O'BRIEN: Is it how to build peace to put a cultural center, Islamic cultural center that will have a mosque that is angering so many people, that 71% of the country says is not the right thing to do?  Is that the right step to peace?

RAUF:  First, we always said there's going to be a dedicated prayer space for Muslim, which we do need. And we want to have prayer space for Christians and for Jews.

As I said, we have to build on our common platform. We need to build -- we need to make a space which creates and emphasizes a culture of worship.

(A new ABC News poll finds 66% of Americans oppose building the mosque, but 82% of opponents say it's the location they object to being so close to the deadly scene so seared into American minds, not a mosque itself.)

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O'BRIEN: Have moderate Muslims been vocal enough against extremists?

RAUF: In the Muslim world, there are many people who have been vocal and we have been very vocal against extremists.  But how to win this battle is an ongoing battle. And we must continue to wage the battle for peace.

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O'BRIEN: Where will you get the money? 

RAUF:  We will raise from whatever source we can, domestically, especially. And we're very transparent on how we've raised the money. This has been something that we've committed ourselves to. 

O'BRIEN:  Meaning you will list whoever is giving you money. 

RAUF:  Yes. 

O'BRIEN: Will you turn down money from people who, say, give money to Hamas? 

RAUF:  Absolutely. 

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RAUF:  I condemn everyone and anyone who commits acts of terrorism. And Hamas has committed acts of terrorism.

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O'BRIEN  Engaging and dialogue and getting to know each other. Right now, it's kind of a screaming match in front of a storefront.

RAUF: Because the radicals on both sides have taken over the discourse.

O'BRIEN: But do you think -- again, when you look at -- when you ask your average American, 71% say they think it's a bad idea. The wisdom is not there in doing this. So are those people radicals?

RAUF: No.

O'BRIEN: Are they Islamophobic?
 
RAUF: No, it's because people are concerned. People want this problem to go away. I have been in this neighborhood for 25 years. I'll continue to be in this neighborhood after this thing dies down.

Mayor Bloomberg was quoted as saying that he believes that the day after election day, this story will go away.

O'BRIEN:  Do you think that's true?

RAUF: That's what he said.

O'BRIEN: Do you think that's true?

RAUF: I hope it's true. I hope it dies down tomorrow, because we need this -- this dangerous discourse to die down.  We need to build bridges, to build relationships, to build friendships, and to build a new chapter in Muslim/non-Muslim relations.

O'BRIEN:  Is this the right way to do that?

RAUF:  How do you propose we do it?  How do you pose we really engage? You know, Soledad, we must -- look, this is a matter of engagement right now.  How do we -- how do we continue engagement is the question.

O'BRIEN: But engagement where people are furious, people -- many people on both sides of the issue are furious.  Is that the kind of engagement --

RAUF: I ask, what is the solution?  What is the solution to create an advancement of peace?  We have to advance a discourse on peace.  Our politicians get it.

O'BRIEN:  Isn't that the opposite of peace?  Two sides yelling at each other with placards two blocks from "ground zero," which people I think here in New York and around the country would say that is sacred land.  That is -- that's a special place for everyone in America.  Is that -- is that a step toward peace there?

RAUF:  ....many people have said, look at what exists in that neighborhood.  Look at what exists around the corner.

O'BRIEN: Oh, I -- believe me, I live downtown so I know the neighborhood very well.

RAUF:  So let's be clear. Calling this particular block sacred ground and what exists there. There's, you know --

O'BRIEN: Strip clubs and delis. I've been there a million times. But I think when people call it sacred ground, they're saying something terrible happened on this spot and we can't --

RAUF: We've got to be fair. You can't say a place that has strip joints is sacred ground. We've got to be just. We've got to speak the truth.  We've got to have justice for everybody.  We're a country of justice for all, not justice for non-Muslims only or some groups and not for others. This is what America's all about, Soledad.
  
We've got to really mean what we say and say what our values are truly about. This isn't -- the discourse has been hijacked by people who say no.

O'BRIEN: But in that 71% of people, those are not extremists.

RAUF: I recognize that. This is why I'm on the show with you today. I want to talk to these people, show them my face, show them what I'm about, show them my track record.  I have been looked at every which way.

The full O'Brien interview transcript is available here.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Larry King Live / CNN; Diane Bondareff / MCT (Site of the proposed mosque); Pete Souza / White House (President Obama announces his support of the mosque during an August White House Iftar dinner).

Comments

[Fernando]

This is a local issue, most agree. In a Manhattan only Quinnepiac poll, 46% support, 35% oppose, 16% don't know. I am from Manhattan and I say that everyone from outside Manhattan should go worry about their local school's PTA and mind their own business.

This guy seems legit. Too legit to quit! Come on its Hammer time! Seriously, the intent is extremely important here. If the center is not meant as an insult to the non-Muslim 9/11 victim's families then we should accept it that way. For us to castigate the Iman and say he is upsetting people that feel that this is an insult to them is inflammatory. We would thereby be fanning the flames of intolerance, hate and xenophobia of every kind. We should instead reason with the victim's families and assuage their fear that this might be meant as an insult.

Let's come together on something we can all agree on. It's Hammer time!

[Barry Hussein]

What a liar. This man has an agenda and a philosophy and is working hard to achieve his goal of building a temple on top of the site of a great Islamic victory. While he has the legal right to build such a monument, he is going to find any victory he has to be a pyrrhic one. There are going to be continual problems with unions, materials, construction, neighbors and vandalism that will make any such building a total failure. If he located this center in an area four blocks further from WTC, this would not be a problem, other than the fact that no one would pay attention to this scumbag. He knows that having this center close to WTC will bring in all kinds of money and support from radical elements. To pretend otherwise is stupid.

[bryan golden]

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf states that the the cultural center has a peaceful goal. Then why does he appear content with extimists using "Violent" acts in response to the opposition they face? Why is he not saying to the extremists, Hey, Don't do that! but yet he insists that the american people should not be allowed to oppose somthing that they do not agree with. WHAT IF Americans said ,Oh! if you do this there will be VIOLENT BACKLASH against you. What would be the fall out then?
Why does the IMAm not take a HARDER STANCE agianst the extremists?
My feeling is that their philosophy is IF YOU DONT GIVE US WHAT WE WANT , WE WILL COMMINT VILONET ACTS AGAINST YOU UNTIL YOU DO!

[bryan golden]

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf states that the the cultural center has a peaceful goal. Then why does he appear content with extimists using "Violent" acts in response to the opposition they face? Why is he not saying to the extremists, Hey, Don't do that! but yet he insists that the american people should not be allowed to oppose somthing that they do not agree with. WHAT IF Americans said ,Oh! if you do this there will be VIOLENT BACKLASH against you. What would be the fall out then?
Why does the IMAM not take a HARDER STANCE agianst the extremists?
My feeling is that their philosophy is IF YOU DONT GIVE US WHAT WE WANT , WE WILL COMMINT VILONET ACTS AGAINST YOU UNTIL YOU DO!

[Jerri Rasmussen]

I understand the State Department pays for this guy to travel...is this true? If it is true then what an insult to the American People by this administration. We will be better off when Pelosi, Reid, and President Obama are out of office.

Sincerely,

Jerri Rasmussen

[jintao]

It sounds to me that from now Americans have to do whatever radical Muslem want. Otherwise, the Imam will not gurantee to prevent another 9/11 from happenning. Thanks, Imam. You are a hero of USA. We shall vote you the President of United States. I have an idea, everyone convers into Muslem, the problem will be resolved.

[Sharon Graham]

Imam Feisal did not say that he had made a ‘mistake’, even though Soledad badgered him to do so. He did not use that word. This program ran more like an interrogation than an interview. His points, so well made, seemed to escape the American intellect's comprehension, as evidenced by the responders on Anderson Cooper.

He repeatedly asked that these important decisions be made by moderates who could peacefully converse, not radicals on both sides who yell and scream and act like unruly children (the yell, scream, and unruly children part are my words, not his).

Personally, I am not religious, so have no iron in either fire on that level. I am, however, a person of peace. Mutual respect is paramount to establishing peace, which means that persons truly listen to each other, not come to the table with their minds already made up.

[Ted Farmer]

Funny, it's not even at ground zero and it's more an interfaith center than a mosque. But facts and reality never get in the way of the Tea Party fanatics.

And remember, just because the Tea Party wants all Muslims, Mexicans, African Americans and liberals dead, doesn't mean they are Nazis or that they're racist.

[John]

It's not right! Why does it have to be there. He's laughing in the faces of all of the non muslims. What an insult to America. I know it's legal, and they have a right if zoned properly. I just don't like it. Not there.

[The Phoenix]

From the ashes of the world trade center will rise the initial corner stone of
the world califate and the good imam's will appears to be unshakable .The
whole interview appeared like a dialogue of the deaf.The Imam thinks the
majority of Americans must submit to his plan to prevent extreme islamist
from claiming America is waging war on Islam.The reality is that those same
extremists have been making that claim since the start of the Afghan war.
All the sophistry of the Imam fails to hide the clash of civilization wich is at
the heart of this whole situation.Intolerance is a virtue under many Islamist
regimes while most Americans are simply expressing frustration in the face of a
blatant provocation.

[John]

I think the Rauf guy is wasting good air other people could breath. Nothing but a trouble maker like the rest of the muslims.

[Mostafa]

Please Rauf, think twice before going forward. Didn't you know that prophet Muhammad (PUH) commanded his companions to never hurt the people of the book (Christians and Jews)?!. Building such mosque is hurting them. And the whole universe is suitable place for our prayers. Build your bridge in the suitable place and don't build it over the lava, that will burn your bridge and many other bridges that were built in other suitable places and were working perfectly.

Sincerely,
Muslim don't support this project.

[guild wars 2 gold]

We need to build bridges, to build relationships, to build friendships, and to build a new chapter in Muslim/non-Muslim relations.

[NoMoreMosquesInUSA]

I agreed with some of my Liberal friends on this article. I think that we should all build bridges and start loving all muslims.

Give then all our underage girls for them to rape them and stone them. Give them all what they want so, that they and Obama do not think that we are racist and bigots.

We should all hug and blow ourselves up just to prove that we are all very tolerant to their believes and custumes.

Lets all forget about our principals and start using Sharia laws. They the Muslims have proven throught history that they are the best civilation and human descency that money can buy.

Without their tolerance for other religions we will not be here today.

Thanks for opening my eyes. Now might Allah give happines to all to go and blow yourselves up. Amen....sorry...Allah

[Wes Tipton]

Fernando says if we're aren't from Manhattan we shuold mindf our own business? Excuse me for pointing out the obvious Mr. Clueless, but this is the business of every single American in this country, and your comment is incredibly stupid.
If 71% of us don't want this built, than apparently we are the radicals this radical cleric is referring to, and the irony of that shows the absurdity of this entire issue. If changing the location, or more preferably cancelling the whole thing upsets a bunch of Arabs in the middle east who in the hell cares. They will 'get over it' just as they think we should. Muslim opinion does not rule America, even as much as Obama would like it to, and it never will!

[Sergei Bourachaga]

During the demonstrations opposing the 9/11 mosque project, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf declared to the press that the mosque will be built to encourage “Inter-Faith Dialogue”, and it is not an act of defiance designed to undermine the pain inflicted by Islamic radicals on all those who lost loved ones in the Twin Towers 9/11 disaster.
If Imam Abdul Rauf strongly believes that Islam is a religion of “Peace & Tolerance” dedicated to dialogue, he should also head a project of building a church in the city of Mecca-Saudi Arabia. The Vatican is the seat of Catholic Power representing almost 1 billion Christians, showed Christian tolerance with deeds not words, by convincing the City of Rome in 1974 to donate (absolutely free) 32.000 squ.m of land in an area of Rome, less than 3 km away from St Peter's Basilica known as “The Pope Diocese”, to build a mosque and an Islamic Cultural Centre to encourage “Inter-Faith Dialogue”. The inauguration of the mosque took place on June 21, 1995, and the mosque’s construction was financed by king Faisal of Saudi Arabia, head of the Saudi royal family, as well as Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Isn’t it time for Imam Abdul Rauf to convince the Saudi King to lift the absolute ban imposed on building churches anywhere in the Kingdom, especially Mecca. If any person is interested on knowing why the ban does exist, he/she should consult the following link:
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2010/08/koran-holy-book-or-hate-literature.html

[Calvet]

Feisal Abdul Rauf said his resistance to a suggestion not to build the proposed mosque site two blocks from "ground zero" was a matter of national security because to move the site would inflame radical Muslims abroad and endanger Americans and American interests. So once again it will be out of total fear that Americans should agree with him - otherwise radical Muslims could be very, very violent... What kind of a peace offer is he making? And why has he no plans to build (or help to build) a catholic site and a small catholic church in Muslim countries where there are still some Catholics living (those who have so far survived such radical Muslims). Enough of such hypocrisy !

[Camel trader]

I will give you 1000 camels in exchange for your daughter.Talk about an offer
you cant refuse.But the Imam's true nature was revealed when he said to D. Trump he wants 25 million for the property a stupid infidel sold to him for 4.8 million less than one year ago. Trump rightfully thinks the Imam could
not care less about the mosque,he is just another shyster masquerading as an
Imam.Is there a lesson to be learned here for the white house ?

[bjsc98]

Im not against the mosque being built but I think that is a memorial to the peoplewho died I mean if it was torn down and people already was told and no one got hurt but people died people lost love ones and people were hurt so why would you want to hurt those people

[Ashley Vargas]

The issue I want to address the most is the name. Cordova? Really?

Enough said.