NEW YORK // Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf certainly expected some controversy over his plan to create an Islamic cultural centre and mosque close to where the World Trade Centre stood before the attacks of September 11, 2001, in downtown Manhattan. But Mr Abdul Rauf, a Kuwait-born Sufi scholar who has worked for interfaith dialogue since he moved to the United States in the mid-1960s, never thought he would face accusations that his project was for "the worship of the terrorists' monkey-god".
This statement by Mark Williams, chairman of the right-wing Tea Party Express movement, drew strong condemnation from many New York politicians, who also comforted Mr Abdul Rauf with their support. The attack was also proof that almost nine years after the September 11 attacks, Islam remains an unknown quantity for a significant portion in the United States. "I didn't expect such venom and bigotry but it's been wonderful to see the condemnation of such hate speech," said the imam. "Williams had to apologise to the Hindus while there's been unequivocal support for our project from, for example, Michael Bloomberg, the Jewish mayor of New York City."
The proposed cultural centre will be called Cordoba House after the imam's Cordoba Initiative, a group with offices in Malaysia and the US that works to break down barriers between the Muslim world and the West. Its name refers to the Spanish city renowned for its tolerance and intellectual advance under Muslim rule during the 13th century. Cordoba House has also drawn more measured criticism since a Manhattan community board voted late last month to approve it. Some families of September 11 victims fear its proximity to Ground Zero would provide succour to extremists.
But Mr Abdul Rauf said the centre and its location would help to "amplify the voice of the moderates who are the vast majority of Muslims". Some American-Muslims have also spoken out against Cordoba House. A founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy said Ground Zero was not the place for an "ostentatious architectural statement". A director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs wanted to see a less emotionally charged symbol, such as a social services agency, reported the Boston Globe.
But Mr Abdul Rauf has long ties to downtown Manhattan, having headed a mosque there for some years before the attacks, which also claimed the lives of some members of his mosque. He envisaged the centre as an "Islamic YMCA", modelled after the international network of sports, social and educational centres founded by Christians. He saw a good example in the YMCA in West Jerusalem that was frequented by Jews, Christians and Muslims.
"We want to have a 500-seat theatre, swimming pool, educational programmes, arts and culture and of course food because we Muslims love to feed people," Mr Abdul Rauf said. "One young American Jewish woman came up to me recently and said she would be so pleased if she could attend a pool and gym that was segregated for men and women!" He said at least US$105 million (Dh386m) would have to be raised to create the planned 13-storey building within the next three to four years. "I would love to do it to Abu Dhabi standards but then it would cost closer to $150 million to $200 million," he said. "We hope to raise the money from diverse sources but it needs to be spearheaded by American Muslims."
The Peace Corps, a US organisation that sends young volunteers to the developing world, was another inspiration for Mr Abdul Rauf in his fight against extremism. "The Cordoba Initiative is the algorithm and our formula involves projects in civil diplomacy, youth, women, religious interpretation, media and the evolving American-Muslim identity," he said. "Cordoba House will be a place for Muslims and non-Muslims to hang out and where young kids can be mentored because extremism is a big threat in our communities. Young kids entering adulthood have identity issues and a lot of energy that needs to be challenged. A centre close to Ground Zero can remind them what to do and what not to do."
Mr Abdul Rauf, who has lived in Britain, Malaysia and Egypt, has not only addressed issues faced by Muslims living in the West but he has also spoken out against the politicisation of Islam across the world. "Islam was more of a religion and less a political ideology when I was a boy. "It has been politicised in a way that is antithetical to the core principles of Islam. When it is used as tool of political ambitions, it is abused," he said.
"The fact that there are different Islamic parties within those countries where Islam is the state religion shows there is no one way to be a Muslim or one correct answer. "We need to reclaim our intellectual, legal and religious traditions." sdevi@thenational.ae
