Mosque Project

Ground Zero Mosque Project

The Mosque near Ground Zero has been driven in to the public spotlight by many factors. So in order for the religious leaders to market their Park51 project, they must know what these factors are and find ways to bring a positive spin to them. This will hopefully enable the religious leaders to show that this cultural center is a positive influence to the community, rather than a negative one.

The cultural aspects of the Ground Zero Mosque are tied to the differences between two major religions and also political views of two opposing parties. These perceptions and differences cause deep set feelings in all that have a vested interest in the issue and many that don’t. Because of these deep set feelings, many have gone out and demonstrated or signed petitions for and mostly against the development of the Park 51 project.

The biggest cultural issue, that has been raised, is of the insensitivity of Muslims to the victims of the September 11 attacks. This is due in large part because of perception of Islam and terrorism being interconnected. This view was encouraged with the wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq, both Muslim countries. You can also see the religious significance of the Ground Zero from the different words people have used when describing the site of the attack, hallowed ground or sacred territory. This reasoning is why most individuals have issues with development of the Park 51 Islamic Cultural Center.

Another cultural aspect that is at play here is the political one which this issue has drawn out in full force. Conservatives have been in opposition to the project and created a stir which has brought the issue into mainstream. Their belief is that the building of the Islamic Center so near to Ground Zero is an insensitive attack against the mourners of September 11. This view then brought out liberal groups and politicians to support the site, on the basis of an individual’s right to freedom of religion. With this...