Arab Opinion on the Ground Zero Mosque

Our expatriate Russian correspondent Russkiy has translated some reader input from the website of the BBC’s Arabic-language service. He says:

The BBC has questioned Arab readers on their views with regard to the Cordoba Initiative and the noise it has created. Some comments are worth translating.

And the translated excerpts from the BBC:

There are people who are saying that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the USA. In my view it’s the biggest, most widespread lie I ever heard.

— Abu Sufian, NY

What is the source of the problem? All problems in American politics concern Arabs and Muslims. How many resolutions from the security counsel, condemning Israel has America blocked? Those who attacked the towers caused animosity and a desire for revenge in Americans. Of course, those attacks were against humanistic and religious morals. However, why didn’t Americans respect the feelings of Arabs and Muslims? With regard to the project bringing religions and people together, I don’t think that this project would do that.

— Seyf al Islam, Libya

I am a Muslim, but despite that, I believe that the mosque should be built further away from the proposed place. There’s no doubt that this mosque will remind the families of the victims of those Muslims who perpetrated those heinous deeds. There’s no doubt that the images of the celebrating Muslims during and after those events shamed us as Muslims and proved clearly the contradiction between what we show and what we hide, and justifies the opposition of the people of New York.— Amer, Hims

I am against building this mosque as I’m against any justifications for spilling blood of the innocents in all parts of the world. I am against those who justified the terrorist attacks of 9/11 ignoring the suffering and tears of the victims’ families and relatives while at the same time glorifying the wicked terrorist.

— Mostafa, the Netherlands

I think that building this mosque is an important gesture for the Muslims who simply need a place to pray. I don’t think there is an ulterior motive in building this mosque. The position of Obama in this is admirable. With regard to the opposition, I think they are wasting their time and that of others in this useless opposition. There’s no sense to it in my view.

— Abdal Aziz Ali

Why is all this uproar around building a mosque in New York????? WHY DO MUSLIMS DEMAND THE RIGHT OF WORSHIP WHILST DENYING THAT RIGHT TO CHRISTIANS IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY ARE THE MAJORITY LIKE EGYPT FOR EXAMPLE??? At least no one tries to burn them in their mosques whilst they are praying like they do to Christians in Egypt.

— Amin Daniel, Cairo

“Muslims were the first ones who started the policy of peaceful coexistence with people of other faiths — Islam Yosef” Brother Islam, we have been suffering for a very long time until now from this “peaceful” coexistence which you are talking about. You can target the Indians or the Chinese or even Americans with your claim that Muslims adhere to principles of coexistence, but don’t lie to yourself. I don’t think you need me to recount to you the events in history and the contents of your texts?

— Copt, Egypt

A question to those who want to build this mosque: After all this noise and scandal, why the insistence on building it? Its not only Christians who don’t want the mosque to be built but Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and even atheists. And the reason for this opposition from these various groups is because Islam attacks them all without exception. The likes of bin Laden and others use Quranic texts (that are clear for all to understand) to call for Muslims to kill non Muslims. The moderate Muslims can’t argue against Al Qaeda’s agenda because of the religious component in their claims. This is the reason why many people don’t want anything to do with anything Islamic.

— Engineer, Baghdad