Since speaking with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on July 16 about the Muslim community center to be built in lower Manhattan, it has been painful to watch the national dialogue around this issue deteriorate into misinformation, hysteria and fear of Islam.
Imam Rauf has been overseas and not able to readily answer questions of the media, so the rhetoric from individuals like Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and others who share their views has continued to distort the real issue at hand. Not all Muslims are terrorists, and the actions of terrorists are certainly not Islamic. This point must be realized if the conversation is ever to elevate beyond these harmful sound bites. It is my sincere hope that by releasing this audio recording and transcript of our recent conversation, those who honestly seek understanding about the Islamic center and the good leaders behind it will find it.
“But if we say that a mosque and community center should not be built near the perimeter of the World Trade Center site, we would compromise our commitment to fighting terror with freedom.
“We would undercut the values and principles that so many heroes died protecting. We would feed the false impressions that some Americans have about Muslims. We would send a signal around the world that Muslim Americans may be equal in the eyes of the law, but separate in the eyes of their countrymen. And we would hand a valuable propaganda tool to terrorist recruiters, who spread the fallacy that America is at war with Islam.”
9/11 Families Applaud President Obama's Support of Religious Freedom
New York, NY, Aug. 14 -- September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows applauds President Barack Obama for his statement in support of the building of a mosque near Ground Zero. On that day, members of our organization paid the ultimate price. We lost loved ones in the tragic attacks, attacks perpetrated by criminals. Our losses will never be redeemed; our wounds will never fully heal. On 9/11/2001 while many of us buried our loved ones we also took heart in our nation's principles and our rule of law. Ours is a nation that fights for religious freedom. Many of us who call ourselves Americans do so because we came to escape religious persecution in other lands.
We applaud President Obama for his leadership on this issue. Simply put:
we lost our family members on 9/11/2001, but will not lose our nation, too. America, the concept and the people and the land thrive when we chose to trust in our principles rather than cave to our basest fears.
What better place for healing, reconciliation and understanding than Ground Zero? We honor our family members by practicing American principles and moving forward from Ground Zero to a future of peaceful coexist.
Clarification: No meeting scheduled between Imam Feisal and Governor Paterson / No location change
Imam Feisel Abdul Rauf is currently abroad. Despite several media reports, there have been no meetings scheduled between Imam Feisel and Governor Paterson, nor have there been any communications between the offices of Cordoba Initiative and the Governor.
Furthermore, Cordoba Initiative and Park51 are committed to maintaining the current planned location for the Community Center.
Park51 - Letter of Support to President Obama from Rabbi Burt Visotzky
Aug 16, 2010
Dear President Obama,
I write to thank you for your support of the plans for the Park51 Islamic Cultural Center in Lower Manhattan and of religious freedom for all Americans. I know I speak for many, many Jewish leaders when I express my thanks for your support of Park51. I have worked with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and with Daisy Khan. I appreciate their commitment to interreligious dialogue and so, have been outspoken in my support for them. I can think of no better memorial to the Americans who gave their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, than a place of prayer, contemplation, and communal engagement.
I also deeply appreciate your standing up for our freedom of religion. It is not sufficient to assert the right to build; only the free exercise of that right is a guarantee of religious freedom. I am distressed at those who would divide America and use hatred of other Americans as a political tool. I applaud your courage at speaking out on this issue. We consider support of Park51 essential to the rights of religious expression for the Jewish community, as well.
My best wishes to you, in the hopes that you continue to serve America in helping ALL of our citizens achieve their basic rights such as healthcare, economic wellbeing, and freedom of expression and religion.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Burt Visotzky
Appleman Professor of Midrash and Interreligious Studies
Director, Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies
August 4, 2010 - Message from Daisy Khan at Jewish Support Rally for Park51
On behalf of Imam Feisal and the entire Park51 community, we express our heartfelt appreciation for the gestures of goodwill and support from our Jewish friends and colleagues.
This has touched me personally and has been deeply meaningful to all of us that have been engaged in responding to the misrepresentation in some sectors regarding the proposed community center in lower Manhattan.
Your support is a reflection of the great history of mutual cooperation and understanding that Jewish and Muslim civilizations have shared in the past, and remains a testament to the enduring success of our continuing dialogue and dedication to upholding religious freedom, tolerance and cooperation among us all as Americans.
This outpouring of support today has strengthened our commitment to working with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Bridging the Jewish and Muslim communities is the task of this generation and the show of support today is a monumental step towards that direction.
We would like to thank our supporters, Mayor Bloomberg, President Boro Scott Stringer and the many public officials who have stood strong with us and to the various Jewish leaders; Thank you Rabbi Irwin Kula, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Rabbi Mark Schneier, Rabbi David Rosen, Rabbi Bob Kaplan, Rabbi Joy Levitt, Rabbi Landau, Rabbi Mark Paley, Rabbi Gerome Davidson, Rabbi Rolando Matalon, Friends of Arava Institute, David Harris of the AJC, Ron Ron Soloway of UJA-Federation, J Street,Rabbi Richard Jacobs with the Westchester Reform Temple, and The Union for Reform Judaism and the many other individuals who have stood up for the highest ideals of all religions – justice, compassion and equality. I end with the greeting of Salam and Shalom. Thank you.
Statement of Thanks from Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on the LPC Vote to Forego Designation of 45 Park Place as NYC Landmark
I am pleased to learn that the Landmarks Commission has concluded that 45 Park Place will not be designated a landmarked site. I am very grateful to Chairman Robert Tierney and his colleagues for their careful and thoughtful consideration.
I am also deeply grateful to our local elected officials, Scott Stringer, Margaret Chin, Daniel Squadron, Andrew Cuomo, David Paterson, and Michael Bloomberg. Our faith community is indebted to them, and to our local community board, for their commitment to the democratic and constitutional ideals we all hold dear and which the community center we hope to create on the site will honor. We believe that Park51 will become a landmark in New York City’s cultural, social and educational life, a community center to promote the American values we all aspire towards and to realize a better city for all.
My testimony, submitted to the Commission earlier this month, sets forth my hopes and vision for the community center we would like to see built at 45 Park Place. In just over a week, Muslim New Yorkers will join friends of other faiths in welcoming the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims around the world dedicate this month to charity, service and community, ideals which I personally hold dear and which Park51 will move forward to realize.
Park 51 will be a home for all people who are yearning for understanding and healing, peace, collaboration, and interdependence. We are more determined than ever to take this opportunity, which we also see as a responsibility to our community and to our neighbors in Lower Manhattan. We are creating a new space where fresh stories of cooperation and service will reflect the living vibrancy of inter-connected communities.
It is our hope that, during this holy month, New Yorkers and Americans from all walks of life will join us in realizing our hopes and dreams for peace and happiness. The support of our partners, elected officials and friends has made this moment possible. Let us help build something that all New Yorkers - and all Americans - will be proud of.
Additionally, we appreciate the support received from the following organizations: September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, J Street, The Arab American Family Support Center, Auburn Seminary, American Jewish Committee, Cause New York, Chautauqua Institute, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, Faith House Manhattan, Friends of the Arava Institute, Interfaith Youth Core, Intersections, Interfaith Center of New York, The Interfaith Alliance, Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, Lutheran Seafarers and International House, New York Buddhist Church, Odyssey, New Seminary, Out of Cordoba – Averros and Miamonides, NY Interfaith Disaster, One Voice, One Spirit, St. Bartholomew's Church, Same Difference Interfaith Alliance, The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, Tanenbaum Center, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Trinity Wall Church, The Healing of the Nations Foundation, The Migration Policy Institute, Union Theological Seminary, St. Peters Church, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, UJA Federation of New York.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the following on a recent radio address:
“If somebody wants to build a religious house of worship, they should do it and we shouldn’t be in the business of picking which religions can and which religions can’t. I think it’s fair to say if somebody was going to try to on that piece of property build a church or a synagogue, nobody would be yelling and screaming. And the fact of the matter is that Muslims have a right to do it too. What is great about America and particularly New York is we welcome everybody and I just- you know, if we are so afraid of something like this, what does it say about us? Democracy is stronger than this. You know, the ability to practice your religion is the- was one of the real reasons America was founded. And for us to say no is just, I think, not appropriate is a nice way to phrase it.”
While we reiterate our point that the Cordoba House is not intended to be a house of worship, exclusive to Muslims, we echo his statement, and value his support.
We have created a blog to be a space to create a simple way to share information with our constituents, the media, and the public at large. We feel it is important to be open and transparent with the community we live, being deliberate in the creation of the Cordoba House, addressing concerns, and fighting misinformation about the Cordoba House. Please share this blog with those who you believe will be interested in our work, subscribe, and feel free to link to our articles in your newsfeeds, blog posts, or articles in the media. Please visit our blog here.
Politicians Rally Behind the Cordoba House
LOWER MANHATTAN — New York politicians gathered Thursday afternoon to denounce Tea Party leader Mark Williams and support the community center planned near the World Trade Center.
“His spewing of racial hatred reminds me…of Adolph Hitler,” Borough President Scott Stringer said at Thursday’s press conference. “We reject him. We reject his bigotry.”
Stringer and other politicians stood together outside the former Burlington Coat Factory building on Park Place, where the Cordoba Initiative hopes to build a $100 million, 13-story community center with Islamic, interfaith and secular programming, similar to the 92nd Street Y.
Excerpts from DNAinfo.org by Julie Shapiro.
Read full article here.
"Improving Muslim-West Relations"
Our Mission: Cordoba Initiative aims to achieve a tipping point in Muslim-West relations within the next decade, bringing back the atmosphere of interfaith tolerance and respect that we have longed for since Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in harmony and prosperity eight hundred years ago.
Solving some of the most intractable conflicts in the world today requires innovative strategies for cross-cultural engagement. Cordoba Initiative tackles this mandate with forethought, expertise and the ability to leverage contacts in influential positions within the Muslim World and the West. Thinking outside the box about international and intercultural conflict resolution also means thinking introspectively about each side's place within its own historical narrative with a view to devising internally oriented solutions.
Cordoba House is a Muslim-led project which will build a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City. The center will be community-driven, serving as a platform for inter-community gatherings and cooperation at all levels, providing a space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.
This proposed project is about promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture. Cordoba House will provide a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a center of learning, art and culture; and most importantly, a center guided by universal values in their truest form - compassion, generosity, and respect for all.
The site will contain tremendous amounts of resources that otherwise would not exist in Lower Manhattan; a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores, restaurants - all these services would form a cultural nexus for a region of New York City that, as it continues to grow, requires the sort of hub that Cordoba House will provide.
Additional information and resources will be made available in the coming months. Please check www.cordobainitiative.org periodically.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Dateline: New York, March 31, 2010.
This month, as many as fifteen million people will participate in Sudan's first multiparty elections in 24 years. Witnessing this process will be more than 1000 international observers. Some organizations say that more preparations are needed - although others have said that Sudan is ready.
There will be challenges - compounded by a lack of electoral experience, underdevelopment, and a recent history of conflict in Sudan. But this effort at multiparty elections by one of Africa's most important nations is part of a trend by Sudan to transform itself and move forward. Sudan hopes to become a respected member of the international community, recognized as a key nation at the heart of a critical region.
Organization to Focus on Elections, US-Sudan Relations and Other Challenges and Opportunities
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jonathan Black (phone: 512-466-0805; email: jonblackconsulting@gmail.com)
NEW YORK – The Cordoba Initiative (CI), a leading global civil society organization promoting understanding between the Muslim world and the West, announced on Monday a major new initiative to help improve relations between the US and Sudan.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
On Faith at washingtonpost.com
February 23, 2010
A report issued Tuesday by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs urges the U.S. government to take religious issues into consideration and to engage religious organizations in forming foreign policy.
Such a report is long overdue. Its recommendations go to the heart of what we at the Cordoba Initiative have been advocating for years.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf The Star Online (Malaysia)
January 13, 2010
If a Muslim proselytized outside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, he might find a cold welcome. He would be legally within his rights. But he would be socially provocative.
The same can be said for the Malay language–edition of the Catholic monthly, The Herald, which decided to use the word "Allah" in reference to the Christian God.
For decades U.S. administrations have scrupulously separated church and state. As a result, the power of religion as a partner in shaping domestic and foreign policy was lost. Yet religious organizations and the government can cooperate to achieve shared domestic and foreign policy goals without impinging on America's fundamental belief that the state should not endorse any one religion.
Today's New York Times features Imam Feisal leading Muslims in Friday prayers in a space just blocks from Ground Zero--a space uninhabited since 9/11. The Cordoba Initiative is leading efforts to renovate this sacred space, building "an Islamic center near the city's most hallowed piece of land that would stand as one of ground zero’s more unexpected and striking neighbors."
From December 6-9, Imam Feisal will be participating in the Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne, Australia with such leaders as the Rev. Jim Wallis, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jimmy Carter, and Dr. Tariq Ramadan. He is presenting on Islam and Muslim-West relations, as well as leading a dhikr session.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
On Faith at washingtonpost.com
The Huffington Post
November 30, 2009
On the surface, the outcome of the Swiss vote banning minarets is an issue of architecture, not religion. Minarets can be beautiful. Islam is known for inspiring outstanding architecture. The Taj Mahal in India, considered the world's most beautiful building, has four minarets. They are part of mosques built around the world, and the concept of the minaret has been designed into noteworthy non-Muslim architecture.
But there is nothing in Islam that requires a minaret. While it is a norm of mosque design, some of the most important mosques in the Muslim world don't have them. In a time before watches, Muslim architects conceived of the minaret. An imam's often haunting call from high in a minaret told the faithful the time for prayer. Today we have many ways to tell time and even programs on our cell phones to call us when it's time to pray.
I was so deeply saddened by the events at Fort Hood, Texas, yesterday. My prayers and sympathy are with the families of those brave American soldiers who were killed and wounded in this senseless act.
What this unfortunate Army major did was against the laws of Islam, even though news accounts said he was an observant Muslim. It is too early to understand his motivations and mental stability. He obviously was violating his faith when he undertook this act. Killing is as much a sin in Islam as it is in Christianity, Judaism and all the major religions. Taking the law into one's own hands is against Islamic teachings.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
The Washington Post On Faith Blog
October 6, 2009
We have a moral responsibility to the people of Afghanistan. It is a responsibility to help them use the basic moral underpinnings of Islam to promote a free and democratic society.
In his assessment of the war, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal makes clear that simply winning battles and killing insurgents will not produce the results we want. His number one recommendation is to “Change the operational culture to connect with the people.” The vast majority of Afghans do not want the insurgents to win, he said, and they do not see us as invaders. “Our strategy cannot be focused on seizing terrain and destroying insurgent forces,” he wrote. “Our objective must be the population.”
Dr. Shirin Ebadi Keynote: Human Rights and Women's Rights in Islam
Naropa University's Peace Studies Department and the Cordoba Initiative Present:
Human Rights and Women's Rights in Islam
(Friday, October 9, 2009, 7 p.m.)
Keynote address by Shirin Ebadi
Women's Leadership and Activism in the Muslim World
(Saturday, October 10, 2009, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Opening panel including Dr. Ebadi and several other speakers
Speakers include Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Sanam Anderlini, Laleh Bakhtiar, Daisy Khan, Nader Hashemi, Micheline Ishay, Haqiqa Ochs, Liyakat Takim, Nabil Echchaibi, Ausma Khan, Jennifer Heath, Tahira Khan, Anita Khaldy and Fran Sterling.
NYC Pluralism: Over 150 Muslims Hold Iftaar in Church on the Eve of the Jewish New Year
Over 150 New York Muslims will join together with interfaith supporters for Iftaar, breaking of the fast, during this holy month of Ramadan.
At this year’s Iftaar, Ms. Fatima Shama, Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, will be honored for her distinguished leadership and public service to New York.
A living example of the hope for a future of peace and pluralism, the Iftaar will take place this Friday in the same Upper West Side venue that will host Jewish New Year’s services on Saturday and Christian services on Sunday.
The Iftaar will be held from 7:00-10:00 PM on September 18th at St. Paul and St. Andrew Church, 263 West 86th Street (West End Avenue), New York, NY 10024.
For more information, contact:
Rushda Majeed, (212) 870-2552 x 2, rushda@asmasociety.org
Cordoba Initiative recently collaborated with the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) to host WISE Conference 2009. Over 200 Muslim women activists, academics, religious scholars, lawyers and community leaders gathered to launch the first Global Women's Shura Council, Muslim Women’s Fund and Muslim Women’s Online Portal. The conference was held from July 16-19 in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia.
As part of the larger Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) program, the event aimed to build a network of Muslim women to challenge distorted interpretations of Islam, increase the socio-economic selfdetermination of Muslim women worldwide, and create positive social change.
Visit the ASMA website to view video clips, download conference materials and more.
Washington - After more than six decades of unsuccessful attempts at resolving the Middle East dispute through conventional political tracks, it has become obvious that there is a dire need for a novel approach - or a new tool - that will help resolve the long-standing dispute.
Chalk it up to the influence of his fashion model wife, perhaps, but French President Nicolas Sarkozy seems determined to put his stamp on Muslim clothing styles.
Sarkozy apparently is responding to an unease among the French about the impact of a growing Muslim population on what had once been a homogeneous Gallic culture.
President Obama said many of the right things as the turmoil surrounding the outcome of the Iranian election unfolded. After Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, spoke Friday, Obama has an opportunity to make an additional crucial point.
In his speech to the Muslim world in Cairo this month, Obama impressed Muslims with his understanding of Islam. He quoted from the Quran and reminded his audience of his Muslim heritage. Never before has an American president expressed such cultural and religious awareness.
By Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
The Washington Post
June 5, 2009
The historic significance of President Obama's speech to the Muslim world in Cairo cannot be overstated.
Never before has an American president spoken to the global Muslim community. His speech marked a major shift in American foreign policy. Obama directly enlisted a religion to build global peace and to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, end nuclear proliferation and stop terrorism.
The following is Imam Feisal's Opinion Piece published by The Washington Post.
Obama's Opportunity in Cairo June 2, 2009
As an Egyptian by parentage, a U.S. citizen by choice, a Muslim by faith and an imam at the mosque that is but 12 blocks from Ground Zero in New York City, I am pleased that my president, Barack Hussein Obama, is addressing the Muslim world Thursday from my hometown of Cairo.
"As a man of faith, I feel the trauma of the New York Jewish community and I look to God, the God of all Biblical prophets, for guidance and support for local Jews and Muslims in this trying time" - CI Chairman Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
From January 16-19, the next generation of Muslim leaders gathered in Doha, Qatar to share skills and discuss their most urgent collective challenges. The 300 dynamic Muslim leaders in attendance, hailing from over 75 countries, debated solutions to pressing issues such as the global Muslim crisis in authority and the mandate to promote peace over extremism from within. MLT is a joint program of Cordoba Initiative and ASMA Society. [Click to read the conference press release!]
Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE): Kuala Lumpur, 2009
In July, 2009, around 200 leaders in women's empowerment from around the world will gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the second WISE forum! At the event, scholars, activists, artists and many other diverse advocates for Muslim women's rights will assemble to discuss solutions to common challenges, share best practices, and launch a number of WISE program initiatives. WISE is a joint program of Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA). Check the ASMA website for more updates!
March 5th - "In the Spotlight: Who Speaks for Islam?"
On March 5th, Cordoba Initiative and the Young Presidents' Organization hosted a discussion with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf (Chairman, Cordoba Intiative) and Dalia Mogahed (Executive Director, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies) at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York. The event was moderated by Jeffrey Goldberg, leading author and scholar of the Middle East, and featured a multi-faceted program on Islam in today's America.
U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Holds Hearing on Engaging with Muslim World
On February 26th, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on engaging with the Muslim World. It discussed how perceptions of the United States are shaped abroad and explored strategies the administration should employ to engage partners in the Muslim World. “Today, we’re standing at a crossroads in history. The United States must seize this moment to formulate a successful strategy and turn the page in our relations with the broader Muslim world,” said Senator Kerry. The two panels consisted of Former Secretary of State Madeline Allbright, and directors of various Muslim organizations.
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Media
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Video Highlights
What exactly is Imam Feisal doing on his trip to the Middle East? CNN's Randi Kaye reports. Watch video here
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf's speech at Intersections. Watch video here
Mayor Bloomberg: "Dialogue Needs to Be Civil." Watch video here
NY Governor David Patterson: "Can't Force Center to Move." Watch video here
Family Member of 9/11 Victim Beautifully Explains Why The Intolerant Are Wrong. Watch video here
“If somebody wants to build a religious house of worship, they should do it and we shouldn’t be in the business of picking which religions can and which religions can’t. I think it’s fair to say if somebody was going to try to on that piece of property build a church or a synagogue, nobody would be yelling and screaming. And the fact of the matter is that Muslims have a right to do it too. What is great about America and particularly New York is we welcome everybody and I just- you know, if we are so afraid of something like this, what does it say about us? Democracy is stronger than this. You know, the ability to practice your religion is the- was one of the real reasons America was founded. And for us to say no is just, I think, not appropriate is a nice way to phrase it.”
LOWER MANHATTAN — New York politicians gathered Thursday afternoon to denounce Tea Party leader Mark Williams and support the community center planned near the World Trade Center.
