NY Mosque Debate

Since its been everywhere on the news, I've had my own feelings regarding the proposed Islamic center to be built somewhat near ground zero. On one side, it is ignorant to protest a mosque just because the terrorists had proclaimed to be Muslims- therefore making the correlation that all Muslims are terrorists and every mosque will spout evil rhetoric. Especially when there is a Catholic church, strip club, and liquor store in the same area [evidence of religious discrimination and proof that the area is not that sacred]  Especially when this is America, where there is freedom of religion. Those protesting seem to want to erase that basic right and make this a religious i.e Christian nation.

I do understand that some who can't separate all of Islam from the 9/11 terrorists. However hurt feelings and ignorance doesn't stand as valid reasons to deny a person or group their right to practice their religion or a company its right to practice basic capitalism and sell land to any paying customer [as some politicians want the center moved to another place]  The ground zero site is and should be a memorial to the poor Americans who died. But how much of the surrounding area should be apart of the memorial? The entire city of New York? Or rather, is it only expanded for anything Muslim-related?

On the other side, I can understand how some American Muslims don't want this controversy to invite more harassment toward Muslims- there are already other protests of mosques in other cities- the only mosque in my town is nondescript and hidden from any Islamic-identification. I don't want my son to grow up hiding his Muslim identity out of fear of being targeted. I often wonder if my hijab makes me a target, particularly when job-searching.

But the fact remains that Islam has a place in America as do all faiths. This shouldn't be downgraded or hidden away to appease others- shying away from what is legally right is a behavior that is unAmerican.