Crowds rally for and against Ground Zero mosque
Supporters and opponents of a proposed Muslim cultural centre and mosque near the World Trade Center site rallied in downtown Manhattan on Sunday, kept blocks apart by a heavy police presence.
The dispute has taken on national political significance, with Republicans using the issue to attack President Barack Obama ahead of midterm elections where his Democrats are fighting to retain control of Congress.
The rallies were held near the location of the proposed Muslim centre, just two blocks from the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks by al Qaeda, which destroyed the World Trade Center towers and killed close to 3,000 people.
The centre, which would include a prayer room, has ignited fierce debate between those who say its proposed location is insensitive and fear it will harbour religious extremism and those who back it based on the principle of religious tolerance and understanding....
Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)
The dispute has taken on national political significance, with Republicans using the issue to attack President Barack Obama ahead of midterm elections where his Democrats are fighting to retain control of Congress.
The rallies were held near the location of the proposed Muslim centre, just two blocks from the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks by al Qaeda, which destroyed the World Trade Center towers and killed close to 3,000 people.
The centre, which would include a prayer room, has ignited fierce debate between those who say its proposed location is insensitive and fear it will harbour religious extremism and those who back it based on the principle of religious tolerance and understanding....