Obama: Muslim’s Right To Build A Manhattan Mosque 1

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This is an excellent example of how President Obama carries out his oath of office.

Presidential Oath of Office

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

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One thought on “Obama: Muslim’s Right To Build A Manhattan Mosque”

  • RichardH

    Boston Globe editorial (15 Aug 2010).
    Obama’s sage decision to back Manhattan mosque.

    It may be tempting to view President Obama’s support for a mosque and Islamic center in lower Manhattan solely through the lens of domestic politics — as a rebuke to the Republicans who have been whipping up opposition to the plan. But there is a higher purpose to Obama’s somewhat surprising decision on Friday to inject himself into this dispute: He clearly understands that the best way to isolate radical Islamists is to appeal to mainstream Muslims. Around the world, mainstream Muslims are the key to curbing the spread of radicalism; at home, they are the first line of defense for average Americans, the people best-positioned to spot radical plots in their infancy. And the surest way for America to isolate and alienate mainstream Muslims is to scapegoat them for the actions of the radicals.

    There is nothing remotely provocative or political about the plans for an Islamic center in lower Manhattan. It is not on ground zero. Its proximity to the site of the 9/11 attacks — about a block and a half — is incidental. People who are familiar with the rabbit warren of lower Manhattan know that practically every form of commerce, including sex shops, can be found in a similar proximity to the site of the former World Trade Center.

    The high percentage of Americans who, in polls, say they oppose the center seem to believe that it would either be visible to those visiting ground zero — it won’t — or was meant as a political statement. It was not. But while so many politicians can summon easy outrage by striking those notes with voters who’ve never been to New York, their shocking prejudice and misunderstanding is being noticed by Muslim Americans who fear nothing more than ostracism.

    This is not an occasion to cater to the sensitivities, sincere though misguided, of some of the opponents. Freedom of religion is a core American value, and America’s values are its best defense against all enemies. Obama, as the leader of the nation, is custodian of those values, and should speak up when he sees them being undermined. Even more importantly, he is the person charged with overseeing national security. And nothing could be more strongly in this country’s interest than winning the confidence of mainstream Muslims, and joining with them to defeat radical Islamists.