Lizz Wenska “Debate over Ground Zero mosque lacks legitimacy,” (CT, Aug. 30) and Ben Woody (‘Pundits should not involve themselves in NYC Mosque debate’, CT 8/25) sensibly argue in favor of the Park 51 Mosque. The sentiments of some of the Sept. 11 victims against the mosque are understandable. However, Muslims also died on Sept. 11 and the perpetrators made no distinction between non-Muslims and Muslims.
The mosque would be objectionable if its proponents held the same beliefs as the terrorists. Fourteen centuries ago, Prophet Muhammad categorically forbade Muslims from harming innocents of any faith. He famously encouraged Christian priests to worship in his mosque.
In his letter to the St. Catherine Monastery, he guaranteed complete religious freedom to Christians in Arabia.
To foster brotherhood among all people, Muslims must champion efforts such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s “Muslims For Peace” campaign here in America. If not, the views of people like Wenska and Woody will fall on deaf ears.
Syed Ahmad
ECE graduate student