Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama on Saturday defended the right of the Islamic community to build a mosque near site of the 9/11 attacks, sparking domestic controversy nationwide, the Guardian reported.

President Obama said that opposing the building of an Islamic cultural centre and mosque, whether they are near the site of the 9/11 terrorist attacks or not, would be fundamentally un-American. However, prominent Republicans strongly disagreed, going as far as leading protests against the possible construction, despite the fact that they wouldn’t even be visible from Ground Zero.

Obama continued, saying that he recognized the sensitivity of the issue, and that Ground Zero was “hallowed ground,” but said that Muslims have the same right to freedom of religion as anyone else. He noted this during a speech at the White House during a dinner celebrating Ramadan, saying “As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else.”

“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.”

He noted that the country’s commitment to freedom of religion must be unshakable.

President Obama clarified a bit after making his remarks, saying that while he wasn’t necessarily remarking on the wisdom of putting a mosque there, he was defending the Muslim community’s right to do so. The fact that President Obama remarked on the situation at all is interesting, as his Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, said that the issue was a local matter.

Republicans, including Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and other influential conservative figures, have been loud opponents to the construction of the mosque. They say it is an insult to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, as they were killed by Islamic extremists.

However, Obama’s remarks were welcomed by the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, saying that the speech was a “clarion defence of the freedom of religion.”

While Obama’s speech may get him political points with the Islamic community, it’s doubtful that it will play well with the rest of the domestic population. In fact, a number of the victims of 9/11 families were quick to speak out against the building, saying that it was “insensitive” and a “provocative act”.

With the November elections fast approaching, what impact this will have on the political fortunes of the Democrats is yet to be seen.