Build Islamic center on Ground Zero, says Moore
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/03/08/art.moore.file.gi.jpg caption="Moore is urging supporters to help fund the planned controversial Islamic Center near Ground Zero."]
(CNN) – Liberal filmmaker Michael Moore is weighing in on the proposed Islamic Community Center in New York City, stirring the the pot by saying he doesn't want it to be built near Ground Zero but rather on Ground Zero.
"I want it built on Ground Zero. Why? Because I believe in an America that protects those who are the victims of hate and prejudice," Moore writes in an open letter on his website. "I believe in an America that says you have the right to worship whatever God you have, wherever you want to worship.
"And I believe in an America that says to the world that we are a loving and generous people and if a bunch of murderers steal your religion from you and use it as their excuse to kill 3,000 souls, then I want to help you get your religion back. And I want to put it at the spot where it was stolen from you," he added.
The filmmaker is also urging his supporters to contribute money to help fund the controversial project and is pledging to match up to $10,000 in donations.
"C'mon everyone, let's pitch in and help those who are being debased for simply wanting to do something good. We could all make a huge statement of love on this solemn day," Moore writes.
The religious leader behind the plans to erect an Islamic center and mosque a few blocks from New York's ground zero told CNN Wednesday night that America's national security depends on how it handles the controversy.
"If we move from that location, the story will be the radicals have taken over the discourse," Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told CNN's Soledad O'Brien on "Larry King Live."
"The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack."
The project, known as Park51, is slated to include a variety of facilities, including a prayer room, a performing arts center, gym, swimming pool and other public spaces. It is planned for a site two blocks from the World Trade Center.
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how revolting his statements are to spit on the souls of these poor innocent people if i met micheal moore i would probably punch him in the nose, maybe i should not say that but that is the way i feel
Michael Moore gives Liberals a bad name. Go away and quit kicking the beehives! You're just as divisive as Palin and Beck!
Remember when we all tried to live TOGETHER in this country? Before our internal enemies tried to tear us apart????
Boycott all the EXTREMISTS!
Why does anyone give this lying, manipulating cretin and credence whatsoever? I'm not surprised he decided to pipe up with his idiocy...it has been quite a while since I've seen any of his nonsense, and we all know he can't go too long without getting himself on the news.
Atta boy Mike. Well said. You got to love a person who calls it like it is. Now let's see how the right wingers will spin this one out of control Stay tuned folks, i'm sure palin, beck , jones, fox and the rest of the quacks will definetly have something to say about this, no matter how stupid it is.
I agree in principle with Moore's logic, and they can certainly build wherever they are able to buy the land.
But... I still think it'd be better for all if they build a bit further away, and I see no harm in their acknowledging the sensitivity associated with ground zero.
It might be different if american imam's had been loudly voicing their opposition to al qaeda, to medieval sharia practices like stoning, to 2nd class citizenship for women in many mideast countries, etc. for the past nine years. They have not.
American imam silence lends implicit approval to these things, and thus it is not surprising that many in the US fear muslims in general.
As usual, Mike is right on. Islam didn't attack America, Al Qaeda did. Hello people? Why don't you see that Al Qaeda WANTS you to hate Islam, so that they end up getting more recruits.
"The headlines in the Muslim world will be that Islam is under attack."? I say tell that to our troops, to the 3000 who perished 9/11, to Bin Laden who declared war on the west in the name of Islam.
If i hear "islamaphobia" one more time I will be ill. Apparently if you have a fear of being blown up on public transportation or in public gathering areas all the sudden you have an illness requiring a label, and are a bad person–regardless if your fear is aimed at the group doing the killing. The United States will cater to this minority yet again, and some of us will live to regret it.
Why not build it there? After all, if we are going to let extremists like the folks at Fox News cast an area two blocks from ground zero as being ground zero, then what difference would it really make? This was all a tempest in a teapot stirred up by liars and charlatans looking to help no one but themselves by denouncing the ground zero mosque.. which is neither a mosque, nor at ground zero.
I agree with Michael. Good for him.
If you build it, they will come. Let "they" be us and not "them".
Michael Moore is another one of those "annoying people".
Sweet Jesus, I love this guys audacity. His logic ain't too bad either.
Hey Mikkey, feeling a bit ignored these days?
Gotta stir the pot a bit?
Poor baby.
This idea of building a mosque near ground zero is similar to a tribute to the attackers of 9/11. The propagators are either terrorists or their puppets.They think that the so called martyrs deserve a monument of victory & obviously they would not meet their ALLAHA , if not given proper burial. Sure the tomb in the mosque will certainly be of the attackers !
Go eat another dozen donuts, Michael. You seem to be at your best when you're gorging yourself. You certainly do not speak for nor represent the majority of Americans who believe the location of this "Islamic Community Center" should be moved. The current plans to locate it within two blocks of the WTC memorial are not only insensitive, but extremely divisive.
If Imam Rauf were truly interested in bringing people together he would have agreed to relocating this travesty many months ago before it became an issue of national interest. Since he is so adamant in that refusal one can only wonder at his true and underlying motivation for insisting on this location. The name "Cordoba House" strongly suggests such an ulterior motivation.
I usually lean moreso left, but I couldn't disagree more with Micheal Moore on this one.
Mr. Moore
I had respect for you and your outspoken words until now. Do you remember what Islam has done to America? Why would you not ask the reason we cannot build a Church in the Muslim nations? That would make a much better story for you and certainly much needfull to help people understand the intolerance of Muslims.
Agree, this is what was done at the Pentagon. So many religous & un-american hypocrites in the US. I am an agnostic and can figure this out.
God, why do you make people like these?
I agree with Moore. If we put that center there, it shows those thugs that they did not beat us when they committed that disgusting crime against humanity. It is a model of religious tolerance, which welcomes people of all faiths to come together, not bomb and blow each other up, like a bunch of savages. I'm sure there are plenty of people here who think it says the opposite, but they are wrong. Those morons just WANT us to keep thirsting for their blood and bring us down to their lowly level, but I will never do so. I was raised on the concept of neither inferiority, nor superiority. We are all equal, whether the haters on either side of the argument like it or not.
Fat man with a fat mouth.
I wonder if he would be so outspoken defending Jews or Christians? I don't think so...not enough publicity in that.
Let us keep track of all those who contribute to the mosque. Most are Christian haters. Somehow, they have decided they like religion now. What they really like is hating America.
During my earliest grades of school, the teacher would say, "let's all put our heads down on our desks, close our eyes, and have a few minutes of Quiet Time."
I wish that Michael Moore would take some Quiet Time.
So much of what he pushes is...well, annoying.
Irrational.
Removed from reality.
He just needs some time out.
Like the Victory Monumental Center, directly ON Ground Zero.
Dramatic, yes–Moore is in show business.
Something good to do?
Think a moment.
No one should pay any attention to this iodiot. He knows not what he is saying.