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http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/08/20/california.islamic.center.controversy/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A group of 60 interfaith leaders in California called for Americans "to rise above the rancorous shouting match" as they spoke out Friday in favor of a controversial Islamic center near "ground zero" in New York.

They called for understanding and tolerance and said religious freedom, one of America's most cherished values, is at stake in the controversy that has gathered steam in the past few weeks.

"Such intolerance, in this country of all places, breaks my heart and I believe it breaks the heart of God," said the Rev. Anne Felton Hines of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

She joined voices with Roman Catholics, Jews, Seventh Day Adventists, Muslims and leaders of other faiths at a news conference held at the Islamic Center of Southern California. Among them was Maher Hathout, chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.

"I'd like to emphasize this is not an issue for the Muslims," Hathout said. "It is an issue for Americans who want America to be the way it was dreamed by its founders."

The New York Islamic center's leaders say they plan to build the $100 million, 13-story facility called Park51 -- formerly known as Cordoba House -- on property it already owns two blocks from the site of the September 11, 2001, terror attacks on the World Trade Center.

Developer Sharif El-Gamal describes the project as an "Islamic community center" that would include a 500-seat performing arts center, a lecture hall, a swimming pool, a gym, a culinary school, a restaurant and a prayer space for Muslims.

But some New Yorkers oppose the project, saying that an Islamic center near the site of the attack by Islamic extremists that killed more than 2,700 people is a painful affront. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released August 11 showed nationwide opposition to the proposed facility at 68 percent.

The controversy swirling around...