Obama Supports Plan For Mosque Near Ground Zero

At a Ramadan dinner at the White House, the president breaks at his silence on the issue, framing it as one of the Religious freedom.By Peter Nicholas and Julia Love, Tribune Washington Bureau Reporting from Washington - 

President Obama on Friday Took a strong stand in favor of building a mosque near the site Where Muslim Terrorists Flew Airplanes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, breaking at his silence has committed a political tempest that much left the country Divided.

Speaking at a White House dinner Celebrating Ramadan, Obama framed the issue as one of Religious Freedom. Muslims "not have the right to practice cloudy Their religion as everyone else in this country," Said Obama, According to a White House transcript. "That includes the Right to build a place of worship and a community center is a private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local Laws and ordinances." 

The uproar over the Proposed mosque has rekindled a Debate over Religious tolerance in a post-Sept. 11 society. Some relatives of Sept.. 11 Victims not have come out against the mosque, ProMinent not have as politicians. 

Republican Rep. Peter T. King of New York Friday, Said That Obama was wrong. 

"It is insensitive and uncaring for the Muslim community Thurs build a mosque in the shadow of ground zero," Said King in a statement. "While the Muslim community has the Right to build the mosque, They are abusing That right by needlessly OFFENDING So Many People Who not have suffered so much. ... Unfortunately the president caved into Political correctness." 

A Majority doesn't want to see the mosque built, National surveys show. A CNN / Opinion Research poll earlier this month showed 68% opposed Plans to Build the mosque, with 29% in favor. Count as part of the minority New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Ken recently Gave a speech Planned Defending the Islamic center. 

In a statement released Friday night, Bloomberg said: "As I Said last week, this Proposed mosque and community center in Lower Manhattan is as important a test of the separation of church and state as Hello, new to see in our lifetime, and I applaud President Clarion Obama's Defense of the Freedom of religion tonight. " 

As the Debate raged, Obama stayed out of it. As recently as last week, his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, described the Matter as one "for New York City and the local community Thurs decide." 

But the White House's celebration of Ramadan, Held in the State Dining Room with about 90 guests, Presented a unique article for Obama to try to at his position known. 

"Now, while we must all Recognize and Respect the sensitivities surrounding the Development of Lower Manhattan," He Said, According to the White House transcript. "The 9 / 11 attacks were a Deeply traumatic event for our country. And the pain and the experience of Suffering by those who currently lost loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the emotions that this is an issue engenders." 

That Said, they added: "This is America. And the commitment our Thurs Religious Freedom must be unshakeable." 

Supporting the mosque is a dicey proposition for Obama. Polls not have shown a Certain Percentage of Americans mistakenly view him as a Muslim. He is Christian. Defending the mosque invites Suspicion That is they are overly sympathetic to the Muslim faith. Is at the same time, Obama has Pains Taken To Reach out to the Muslim world. They Gave a major speech in Cairo last year calling for "a New Beginning" Between the U.S. and Muslims.