Muslim Community Upset by Gov. Quinn's Stance on 'Ground Zero Mosque'

By Soyoung Kwak in News on Aug 21, 2010 4:30PM

The issue of building a mosque and cultural center near Ground Zero has been a hot issue recently. On a national level, Time magazine discovered that 61% of Americans oppose building the mosque and according to the Washington Post, in a survey even before the big mosque debate, almost 20% of Americans believe that President Obama is Muslim (he's not). But what has been a sensitive and growing topic on the national scene now has ties closer to home.

Gov. Pat Quinn firmly stated that he was opposed to building a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center attacks:

"I do understand going to Pearl Harbor, and I have been there; going to Auschwitz, I've been there; and I've been to Ground Zero. And I think those are solemn places on Earth; I've said that this week. I do think there should be a zone of solemnity around those places."

Quinn stated further:

Asked whether he opposes all development around the site or just the Muslim center and mosque, Quinn brought up a Roman Catholic convent that opened in 1984 at the Auschwitz death camp. It closed in 1993 in response to accusations that it was insensitive to open a Catholic institution at a place where 1.5 million mostly Jewish prisoners were killed.

"I think that kind of decision is appropriate here," Quinn said.

Quinn's comment has thrown off some Muslim leaders in Chicago. With elections coming in November, some believe that Quinn's comments could cost him important votes whereas some Muslim leaders are trying to dismiss Quinn's comments as insensitive, asking for clarification on what Quinn actually meant by his statements in rejection of the mosque building in New York City.

The debate over building the mosque continues.