The proposal to build a Muslim place of worship close to the 9/11 site has unleashed a firestorm. The latter has led the Euro Arab Center for Studies to probe the question, eliciting a number of responses with fear, panic and tensions as the main explanations. Father Samir, a Jesuit expert on Islam, stressed the political aspect of the issue, urging Muslims to look into the motivations behind Islamophobia. He also called for the “reinterpretation” of the passages in the Qur‘an that advocate violence.

Paris (AsiaNews) – The proposal to build a mosque near New York City’s Ground Zero, close to the symbolic centre of the 9/11 attacks, has unleashed a torrent of discussions and controversies in the United States and the world. The Paris-based Euro Arab Center for Studies (EACS) has closely monitored the debate and asked its readers to write in their (contrasting) views. The Center has also published the thoughts and comments by Fr Samir Khalil Samir, a Jesuit priest, Islam expert and a leading figure in interfaith dialogue among the great monotheistic religions.

“Is the background of the Americans objection to build a mosque in New York religious or political?” EACS asked.

For Dr Al-Husaini Mohamed Muslim, a university professor in Belgium, it is “Neither Political nor religious. It is merely a complex of fear,” because “Americans as well as Europeans [are] afraid of Muslims and Islam because of the terrorism.”

Wedwed, a writer from the United Kingdom, said, “It’s a matter of Moslems' misbehaviour. Moslems keep attacking other religions and make themselves unpopular.” For this reason, Muslim should “bring back the truth of Islam”.

Ayman, a financial manager in Egypt, said, “The mosque is a place to pray” and conduct spiritual meetings. The refusal to have a mosque on Ground Zero is “not against Islam” but “against Muslim people.” He added that there is “a lot of panic” and tensions, but that with time, there will be “more understanding”.

Based on these early comments, which also include others by American Muslims, Father Samir stressed three important aspects. First, reactions must be placed in the “political context” of the United States, where mid-term elections are approaching. Thus, the opinions of US president Obama and New York City Mayor Bloomberg can be seen as “purely political”. Secondly, the chosen location, so close to Ground Zero, can be seen as “provocative” or at least “insensitive” as some American Muslims also acknowledged.” Finally, it is “undeniable” that Islam generates “fear” in many. It might be called “Islamophobia”, but it does not necessary mean “aggressiveness towards Islam”.

It is important for Father Samir to distinguish Islam from its political use. However, such a distinction “will not be credible so long as [Muslim] religious authorities do not clearly and publicly outline and reinterpret the passages in the Qur‘an and the hadiths that advocate violence.”

For the Catholic clergyman, Islam’s scriptures must be reviewed from a perspective of “non-violence and tolerance”. Consequently, he proposes “cooperation among experts from all three monotheistic religions”, both religious and secular, which could be “fruitful for the entire world.”

Lastly, he does acknowledge the existence of Islamophobia as “fear of Islam”, but suggests that it is “not without some basis” and “that instead of condemning it, we should try to find its causes in order to treat it.”

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