This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government is essential to who we are. The writ of our Founders must endure," Obama told those in attendance at the White House Iftar dinner.
The president acknowledged the controversy that has been raging since plans for the mosque and community center were announced.
"Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the development of lower Manhattan," he said.
"The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic event for our country. The pain and suffering experienced by those who lost loved one is unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this issue engenders."
"Ground Zero," Obama said, "is, indeed, hallowed ground."
Before tonight's announcement, White House officials had repeatedly deflected questions on whether a mosque should be located a few blocks from the World Trade Center site, calling the matter solely a local one.
Obama’s support for the project comes as a big boost to Mayor Bloomberg, who has emerged as the mosque’s biggest defender against a firestorm of criticism from some 9/11 family members, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, as well as the Anti-Defamation League.
"I applaud President Obama’s clarion defense of the freedom of religion," Bloomberg said.
Rep. Peter King (R-Long Island), a leading opponent of the mosque, accused Obama of caving into "political correctness."
"President Obama is wrong. It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community to build a mosque in the shadow of Ground Zero," King said.
"The right and moral thing for President Obama to have done was to urge Muslim leaders to respect the families of those who died and move their mosque away from Ground Zero."
Polls have shown that New Yorkers are overwhelmingly opposed putting a mosque near the World Trade Center site.
During his dinner remarks, Obama stressed that Americans must separate al Qaeda and Islamic terrorists from the overwhelming majority of peace loving Muslims.
"Our enemies respect no freedom of religion. Al Qaeda’s cause is not Islam — it is a gross distortion of Islam," he said.
"These are not religious leaders – these are terrorists who murder innocent men, women and children. In fact, Al Qaeda has killed more Muslims that people of any other religion – and that list of victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11," Obama added.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/president_obama_supports_ground_LG1ygkGhGgEUi5cACuGEdJ#ixzz0waOcFM8I
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