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Imam Rauf explains what his situation has been since the controversy over a mosque near Ground Zero died down
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The next segment -- -- may remember the big controversy -- so called ground zero mosque in 2009 a group announced a project that would put a community center and a mosque very close to ground zero we oppose that.
Saying was inappropriate in some families of 9/11 victims objectives well may remember -- discuss that on the view causing Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar to walk out.
Let us now is -- mom final Abdul -- -- the author of the brand new book moving the mountain.
Beyond ground zero to a new vision of Islam in America -- mom is no longer associated with the grounds Euro project what happened there warrants associate.
I'm along with the puck through and project.
But my vision -- my vision actually is of a multi faith center.
Where people of all religions bill can come together and and build understanding and respect and peace which is all we really don't like Dennis I'd like that idea.
But why issue with this this project now -- -- we have differences of opinion and on on on such and come on division itself.
Okay so you -- -- other developers he saw one way they sought the yes now -- our anti -- more bigoted or unfair or biased or any -- -- for saying you know and this is what I said.
You don't want your mom.
I'm for this project I think you're you're trying to do good thing but I wanted to maybe a block -- two way I don't think it's appropriate at the site.
Was I it was on my -- bad for saying that.
Well I I think.
It it in New York City the notion of where ground zero begins and ends this is an issue but that.
The more important issue billed as I have been in that made that for 28 years and mosque is which is over covers small building.
-- is ten blocks from ground zero looking full force basis the space that we found -- that there is very difficult.
I -- part of this neighborhood to neighborhood committee knows me.
I know them when 9/11 happened we was much a victim is all of the -- all of the people who suffered.
We -- up then up -- of that -- did you lose anybody down -- Amos -- who lost we lost that would -- -- -- sixty Muslims it's how many 60 act he said yes yes and Russa who perished in and so 11 but but I am I didn't want -- what I -- about what you said those are you on the Deepak Chopra.
And the reason I'm here bill is because you said that a fact came on your show and condemns terrorism.
You would raise a hammer and be among the first to help us build the center right.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Where where a lot of people like to use this on my head.
I'm not Catholic but I guess I -- prognosis I say that it's not appropriate to build a -- -- restaurant at Pearl Harbor.
He got to understand where I'm coming from on this and I think that the -- audience does.
My town along on scores of people were killed just like the sixty Muslims downtown near you okay.
-- -- -- Woke up in the morning in a millionaire and their mothers and fathers never came home and they say they understand that and they said we -- we understand you know what let me finish let me finish you -- we thought.
They said to me will you tell imam Raoul.
That we don't object to the mosque as long as he's just not in that proximity.
Because we want to keep that proximity.
Away from any of controversy and all we don't want any controversy there and some people may read it the wrong way I respect their wishes I know.
You do until I do very much and this is -- we we we reached the 9/11 families in the -- eleven community.
Told me that I have to go out and speak because some people really understood my vision.
They would all support that and they did I'd like to think it is and a vision this -- -- a couple of the idea of a multi faith community center will be all come together to -- 22 to build to build 8888.
Coalition.
Of Muslims of Christians of Jews.
Off of atheists.
Who believe in in in marginalizing the extremists because we have to fight against the extremists and all -- -- -- -- look I think we're on the right track -- whether real battlefront two was surely need to understand something if you want plurality and if you want people to get on with your project and get behind you you gotta be reasonable to -- that -- it'll have to be reasonable to now that brings me to your book.
You're well intentioned -- -- look at for the book today and you want good things to happen for Americans this is American centric.
I believe that Americans have treated Muslims generally speaking.
Very well.
Unlike unlike the Japanese in World War II when we were really tough on them and turn them.
After 9/11 -- -- a lot of anti Muslim stuff going on here.
I think Americans have really treated Muslims pretty well in this country am -- -- no you're not -- actually correct.
In fact one of the things that I often say when I when I go back and I didn't think department sent me to the Arab and Muslim world -- often -- Muslims there that you know.
There will only be one -- 23 incidents of Muslims in mosques being attacked.
And you heard every one single one of them but you have not heard of the tens of thousands publications.
Where Americans non Muslims came to us.
And and expressed their support stories of a blond blue -- mini skirted -- going to a Muslim neighbors -- I -- you're afraid to go shopping.
Here I'm volunteering to show up for you.
Those stories haven't been told.
And part of the reason why write this book -- to tell those stories right and they do -- got -- -- a guy I want the Muslim world to understand the reason we're in Afghanistan for example one of the reasons to protect Muslim women.
Going to give them up really have a whole chapter in my book -- about Muslim women and and how we have to understand that these issues up up pop up to a -- -- cultural.
And one of the things that many Americans don't realize they hear about what's happening -- -- -- -- -- removing don't drive but I've been nine Muslim.
Presidents and prime ministers of countries.
We have that the militia has a woman.
Central Bank governor this is split is only so much OK so this is a culture and within ten years within ten years bill.
You're gonna see a whole new different let's -- Muslim world because that's -- that these terrorists get defeated once and for all the book is moving the mountain in my.
Pleasure to see you thanks for coming and thank you very much and look forward to -- -- -- don't hammer.
