Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro asks Cordoba Initiative to demonstrate tolerance and cooperation by voluntarily relocating its proposed Ground Zero mosque
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today urged the Cordoba Initiative to demonstrate its stated mission of improving relations between Islam and the West by voluntarily relocating their planned mosque further away from Ground Zero.
After yesterday’s Landmarks Preservation Commission vote cleared the way for the construction of the mosque on Park Place – just blocks from Ground Zero – Molinaro wrote to Cordoba President Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, asking him to consider another location not so close to Ground Zero.
“As you may be aware, 10% of all 9/11 victims were Staten Island residents. As a community, this loss was devastating and remains deeply felt within our borough,” Molinaro wrote. “Because this wound remains so sensitive, I have followed with great interest the plans for your mosque near Ground Zero.
“I implore you to take the high road and simply withdraw from the current controversial location on your own accord,” Molinaro added. “Please consider the message of understanding and sensitivity such a decision would attach to your project. By finding a location in Downtown Manhattan not so near Ground Zero, Cordoba could represent the very change it seeks to bring to New York
“While I believe your stated mission is a worthy one, I firmly believe it will be undermined if you build at 45-47 Park Place. Show the world you are sensitive to the victims of 9/11. Voluntarily change the location of the proposed mosque,” Molinaro concluded.
August 4, 2010