In Takim’s (2011) article “The Ground Zero Mosque Controversy: Implications for American Islam”, he analyzes the Ground Zero project as well as supplementary evidence to discuss the mistreatment of Muslims in American society and the struggles that they have had to face especially after the events of September 11. To conclude his paper, Takim (2011) discusses the steps that can be taken to ensure American Muslims and the rest of the diverse American population can coexist.
I think it would have been a great idea to build a grand “13-story” Islamic center in New York City (Takim, 2011, p.136). After reading the article, I do not believe the basis for arguing the opposing view is concrete and I find it tragic that the center was not built. Takim presents the center as innovative and a way for American Muslims to “indigenize” their religion which he states is “[a]n important measure that Muslims need to adopt” in order to be accepted by the rest of the American population (2011, p. 139). The center would be “open to people of all …show more content…
I have never seen an Islamic center with such a vision and if it were built in Toronto, I think I would have visited that center many times. I also agree that building a center like this will in fact bring the community closer and build a greater rapport as it is very inclusive, diverse and open for all interests. Most Islamic centers built around the world are intended for praying only and therefore can seem to be exclusive to Muslims. While they are not exclusive to Muslims alone, other diverse populations find it hard to learn more about Islam at these mosques. Thus, building a center like Park51 would have opened up intelligent discussions, arguments and positive learning experiences between all diverse groups and would have allowed the voice of the majority of Muslims to be heard instead of being “silenced by the violence of the minority Muslim other” (Takim, 2011, p.
I think it would have been a great idea to build a grand “13-story” Islamic center in New York City (Takim, 2011, p.136). After reading the article, I do not believe the basis for arguing the opposing view is concrete and I find it tragic that the center was not built. Takim presents the center as innovative and a way for American Muslims to “indigenize” their religion which he states is “[a]n important measure that Muslims need to adopt” in order to be accepted by the rest of the American population (2011, p. 139). The center would be “open to people of all …show more content…
I have never seen an Islamic center with such a vision and if it were built in Toronto, I think I would have visited that center many times. I also agree that building a center like this will in fact bring the community closer and build a greater rapport as it is very inclusive, diverse and open for all interests. Most Islamic centers built around the world are intended for praying only and therefore can seem to be exclusive to Muslims. While they are not exclusive to Muslims alone, other diverse populations find it hard to learn more about Islam at these mosques. Thus, building a center like Park51 would have opened up intelligent discussions, arguments and positive learning experiences between all diverse groups and would have allowed the voice of the majority of Muslims to be heard instead of being “silenced by the violence of the minority Muslim other” (Takim, 2011, p.