Ahlul Bayt News Agency, NEW YORK — U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, a Democrat, and New York City Council Member Robert Jackson joined the Islamic Leadership Council at a rally Wednesday in support of the construction of the proposed Islamic community center and mosque near ground zero, the site of 9/11 attacks in this city.
The Islamic Leadership Council represents over 55 imams, mosques, and Islamic organizations in the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Its leaders spoke out against a rising tide of intolerance against Muslims in the United States.
In his speech, Congressman Rangel said that if New York upholds the constitutional right to religious freedom, it would allow the city to set a good example for the nation.
“I have come to believe that any religion, any color, any culture [is tolerated in New York City], … We are the tolerant ones because we want to be tolerated. How they look at New York, how they look at our politicians, how they look at our lack of tolerance is how they look at the United States of America,” the congressman said at the rally.
“This is not a problem for Muslims. It is a problem for America in doing the right thing and respecting our Constitution,” he added.
City Council Member Jackson also voiced his support for the project.
“Can I say to you as a leader of our great city, that Muslims go with peace. In fact, when they first meet you, they say ‘assalamu alaikum,’ peace be upon you. And that’s the most important thing,” he said.
President of the Islamic Leadership Council Imam Al-Amin A. Latif said that the debate over Park51 has sparked “a campaign of hate” against Muslims. Although his organization supports construction of the mosque, the issue is not simply about the center, he noted. Instead, the most important task is to address “the rising tide of ethnic and religious hatred and intolerance that is sweeping our city and nation against Islam and Muslims,” he said.
Latif called upon political and religious leaders to “stop fanning the flames of hatred and instead guide the people, nurture and encourage them to respect others and their right to practice and live according to their faith.”
“We want fair treatment. No one has the right to vilify our religion and the things we hold sacred,” he said.
According to the Islamic Leadership Council, the nation has seen a surge in verbal and physical assault against Muslims. In one recent incident in New York City, a taxi driver was allegedly slashed in the face by his passenger after the passenger confirmed that he was a Muslim.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Gov. David Paterson have voiced support for construction of the3 mosque, while former House speaker Newt Gingrich, former Alaka governor Sarah Palin and New York gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio remain opposed to the project. Others, like U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, believe that the mosque should be built elsewhere because its proximity to ground zero is insensitive to the 9/11 victims and their families.
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