New york,August 15 :PRESIDENT Barack Obama has come out in favour of allowing a mosque to be built near the site of the World Trade Centre, destroyed nine years ago by terrorists in hijacked airliners.
The site is near where almost 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001, after hijackers of Muslim faith flew two hijacked aeroplanes into the centre’s twin towers, which crumbled as New Yorkers fled in terror.
Obama said: “ As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practise their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.
“ This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable.” The President made his remarks at an Iftar dinner at the White House celebrating the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan.
In doing so he waded into a national controversy that sparked passionate and at times angry debate.
Republicans were quick to pounce on the President’s remarks. Republican Peter King of New York said: “ President Obama is wrong.
It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero. While the Muslim community has the right to build the mosque they are abusing that right by needlessly offending so many people who have suffered so much.
” The Obama administration had not taken a stand previously on the mosque, which would be part of a $ 100 million Islamic centre to be built two blocks from where the disaster took place.
Opponents, including some 9/ 11 victims’ relatives, see the prospect of a mosque as an insult to the memory of those killed by the 2001 attacks.
Some of the victims’ relatives, however, are in favour
–Agencies