UPDATE: New Filing in NYC - Keep Mosque Out of Ground Zero

A couple of developments regarding the planned Islamic mosque at Ground Zero where thousands of Americans were murdered on 9-11 by Islamic terrorists.

First, as promised, we've produced a summary of some of the beliefs of Imam Feisal Rauf, the Imam behind the mosque project.  You can read his own words - taken directly from his 2004 book, Whats Right With Islam is Whats Right With America: A New Vision for Muslims and the West.  You can read that summation here. 

 Secondly, our team in New York City has taken an important step in the effort to prevent that mosque from being built.

Today, we submitted additional written testimony to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) urging city officials to landmark the site where the landing gear of one of the hijacked planes from 9-11 crashed through the roof of the building. 

We are urging city officials to landmark the site because it "stands as a symbol of America's strength and survival in the face of brutal, sadistic terrorism." 

As you know, we represent Tim Brown, a decorated firefighter and first responder, who survived the Twin Towers collapse and lost nearly 100 friends.  We also represent thousands of you who have signed on to our Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque - Americans who oppose building an Islamic mosque on this site which should be used to honor and preserve the memory of 9-11 and its victims.

Here's the problem:  we're concerned that the City of New York is trying to fast-track and sidestep a well-documented process in order to clear the way for this sacred site to be used as a location to build this moque.  This is not a case about constructing a religious facility in New York City.  This is about preserving a site in the shadow of the Twin Towers - where thousands of Americans were murdered. To permit a mosque to be built on this site is not only offensive to many Americans - including family and friends of the 9-11 victims, it is simply wrong. 

We urge city officials to reject the pressures of political correctness and embrace common sense.  This is not the place to build a mosque.  It's time to approve a landmark designation that will preserve the historical integrity of this building.

In written testimony submitted to the LPC today, we contend that the site should be landmarked because of the overwhelming historical significance of the building, its unique architectural features, and the fact that the site may still yield discoveries related to the aftermath of 9-11 that will be lost forever if the building is not preserved.

"The building links two distinct periods in American history," our letter states.  "It reflects the growth and rise of American free enterprise and stands as a symbol of Americas strength and survival in the face of brutal, sadistic terrorism."

At the same time, it's a fact that of the 22,000 landmarked buildings or sites in NYC, some 6% have been designated because of their historical significance alone. 

Among the structures landmarked for historical reasons:  a building that signifies the importance of the rise of the Labor Movement and the struggle for workers rights, a site to promote equality based upon sexual orientation, a clinic where Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, is remembered for her advocacy of abortion rights, and even a building where the terrorist organization, Weather Underground, detonated a bomb.

In our submission, we also urge city officials to comply with the New York City charter and follow well-established procedures permitting the city's Community Board #1 (C.B.) to conduct a full hearing and vote on the matter before the LPC makes its decision, scheduled for later this summer.

In expressing our concern, we conclude that  ". . . it is precisely because of the controversy and political correctness surrounding the proposed use as a 13-story mosque that the LPC may be inclined not to grant landmark status and to do so without keeping the record open for full consideration by the C.B. This would constitute an abuse of discretion."

You can read the ACLJ letter here.

As you recall, just last week, our legal team presented crucial testimony before a hearing of the LPC.

It's important that you stand with us on this issue.  If you haven't yet signed on to our Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque, please take a moment and do so right now.  Add your name here.