Ground Zero Mosque Plans Moves Forward

A city commission on Tuesday denied landmark status to a building near the World Trade Center site, freeing a group to convert the property into an Islamic community center and mosque that has drawn national opposition.

The Landmarks Preservation Commission voted 9-0, saying the 152-year-old building blocks from the site of the Sept. 11 attacks wasn’t special or distinctive enough to meet criteria to qualify as a landmark. Commissioners also said that other buildings from the era were better examples of the building’s style.

National and New York politicians and the Anti-Defamation League have come out in recent weeks against plans for the mosque, saying it disrespects the memory of Sept. 11 victims. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also chairs the foundation building the Sept. 11 memorial, has defended plans for the mosque.

National and New York politicians and the Anti-Defamation League have come out in recent weeks against plans for the mosque, saying it disrespects the memory of Sept. 11 victims. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who also chairs the foundation building the Sept. 11 memorial, has defended plans for the mosque.

Daisy Khan, executive director of the American Society for Muslim Advancement, told The Wall Street Journal in Tuesday’s editions that the center’s board will include members of other religions and explore including an interfaith chapel at the center.

“We want to repair the breach and be at the front and center to start the healing,” said Khan, a partner in the building and the wife of the cleric leading the effort.

But the Anti-Defamation League’s national director, Abraham Foxman, said Khan’s proposals fail to address the crux of opponents’ criticism that erecting the mosque near ground zero is insensitive to 9/11 victims’ families.

The Jewish organization came out against the mosque last week, saying “some legitimate questions have been raised” about the Cordoba Initiative’s funding and possible ties with “groups whose ideologies stand in contradiction to our shared values.”

The project also has drawn opposition from former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, among others.

 ( Associated Press)