OpenHeaven.com - More Approval Needed for Ground Zero Mosque

http://mailings.vb.cbn.com/track?t=c&mid=410400&msgi d=20400&did=7100&sn=1194376684&eid=basileia@eart hlink.net&uid=3841&extra=&&&2008&&am p;&http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/May/More-Approval- Needed-for-Ground-Zero-Mosque/ - More Approval Needed for Ground Zero Mosque

NYC Panel Approves Ground Zero Mosque

CBN News

A New York City community board has voted overwhelmingly to support a plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero. The board voted 29 to 1 despite a very contentious debate over the Cordoba Mosque.

"It's a seed of peace," board member Rob Townley said. "We believe that this is significant step in the Muslim community to counteract the hate and fanaticism in the minority of the community."

But opponents said it will be a monument to the 9-11 terrorist attack that killed 3,000 people.

Meanwhile, plans to build the mosque two blocks from Ground Zero still have to overcome another roadblock. The building Muslims want to tear down to make room for the mosque is a historical landmark.

New York City officials are expected to hold a hearing over whether or not to preserve the building.

Plans for the 13-story mosque, located two blocks away from Ground Zero, have upset 9-11 survivors and victims' families. The project includes space for Islamic prayer gatherings and a cultural center.

"We want to reach out to those who don't understand us," said Daisy Kahn, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and board member of the Cordoba Initiative. "There would be no better place because the tragedy of 9/11 affected us all.

"They can have their mosque but have it somewhere else," said Jim Riches, former deputy chief of the Fire Department of New York City. "I don't want it over looking the site where my son was murdered that day by 19 muslim terrorists."

Meanwhile, a lower Manhattan community board is holding meetings on the project. But their vote on whether to support it may be called off by members who want to stay out of the controversy.