Barack Obama has spoke out in favour of the plans to build a Mosque at Ground Zero, adding that any opposition to this construction would be "un-American". The proposed "Islamic Cultural Centre" and Mosque would be two blocks away from the Ground Zero site, which marks the area where the twin towers were brought down by Islamic Extremist on 11 september 2001, killing 2,995 people and the 19 hijackers responsible.
The president's opinion on this current political and cultural hot-potato came at a White House dinner to celebrate Ramadan, the Islamic tradition of fasting.
In his speech, President Obama said: "As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practise their religion as everyone else in this country.
"That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.
"This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable."
Please see the below video for the speech
Do you agree with Barack Obama's view on this sensitive issue? Are Muslim's being lumped into the same category as dangerous and violent extremist? Please share your opinions in the comments below and cast your vote on the poll on the right of this page. Join the discussion.
I personally think it's a waste of time whenever a new place of worship is built, regardless of it's location. Money could be spent more productively. It does seem like a kick in the teeth however, with the site being that of an horrific attack by Islamic Extremist. I'd prefer if it if all plans to build new mosques, churches etc were opposed in this way.
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