Editor’s Note:
Last week the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission cleared the way for new construction on a site in lower Manhattan where developers plan to build an Islamic community center. The center, dubbed Cordoba House, has been controversial as opponents object to what some call “The Ground Zero Mosque” being located within blocks of the World Trade Center site. The proposal has become more than a local issue with national figures contributing their voices to the debate.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg did not shy away from the controversy. He was an early defender of the Cordoba House developers based on America’s principles of religious liberty and private property. After the Landmarks Commission decision Bloomberg gave an address from Governor’s Island in New York Harbor, with the Statue of Liberty as a backdrop. It was a stirring speech addressing the controversy in the context of New York City’s history of religious tolerance – back to its days as a Dutch colony, America’s constitutional protections of religions, and the emotional legacy of 9/11. Bloomberg said in part, “..it is my hope that the mosque will help to bring our City even closer together and help repudiate the false and repugnant idea that the attacks of 9/11 were in any way consistent with Islam. Muslims are as much a part of our City and our country as the people of any faith and they are as welcome to worship in Lower Manhattan as any other group..”
The prospects for the Cordoba House touched more than the local and national audiences. Indeed the controversy has been followed internationally, especially in the Arab and Islamic world. Among those interested in how this story has unfolded is Mr. Amr Khashoggi, a distinguished Saudi Arabian businessman, who has generously shared his perspectives on Saudi-US relations with SUSRIS in the past.
In 2006 he wrote an “open letter” expressing his concerns about the challenges for both countries to maintain the historic bridges that were built before 9/11. A year later we asked him, in a SUSRIS exclusive interview, to reflect on progress that might have been made subsequent to his “open letter.” He suggested some progress had been made but much more needed to be done. “We are still faced with a serious case of misunderstanding, misconception and deep ignorance and lack of awareness of the situation. We still have a lot to do to bridge the chasm created by extremists on both sides and their cohorts. When we stiffen our positions and dig our heals into the ground and shut our ears to honest, transparent and civil dialogue between our two nations, then the chasm will get bigger and we cannot build on our common values nor can we be in a position to respect our legitimate differences.”
Today it is a singular distinction for SUSRIS to share another of Mr. Khashoggi’s letters. This one is addressed to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and provides Mr. Khashoggi’s reaction to the mayor’s stand on Cordoba House.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 9, 2010
A Letter to the Mayor of the City of New York
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor Bloomberg:
Mr. Mayor, I am writing today to express my appreciation and admiration for your principled stand in dealing with the question of the Cordoba House in Manhattan, or as some call it, the “Ground Zero Mosque.” I was especially moved by your speech at Governor’s Island on August 3rd. As a Saudi Arabian citizen who was educated in the United States and enjoys strong family, business, social and cultural ties with America I am very interested in strengthening the bridges that connect us and challenging the questions that could divide us.
Most people who have sought to understand 9/11 appreciate that the criminals who perpetrated the attacks that day sought to drive a chasmal wedge separating Americans from the Islamic world, and from Saudi Arabia in particular. It was clear that it only takes a few minutes for a mindless act of violence to destroy not only the lives and livelihood of victims but also the strong friendship between nations such as ours that took decades of hard work to build.
It is easy to understand the emotional toll of 9/11 upon many who oppose the Cordoba House. The horrific events that dark day also crushed the hearts of America’s friends in my country and among the hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world who have not been lured away from the truth of my faith, Islam, by the criminals who perpetrated those crimes. I strongly agree with your belief that, “To cave to popular sentiment would be to hand a victory to the terrorists,” and that “We would betray our values and play into our enemies’ hands if we were to treat Muslims differently than anyone else.” We Saudis and Americans must prevail, shoulder-to-shoulder, in our battle against senseless terrorism and bigotry whether they are in your country or mine.
As you may recall our leader, King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques of Islam, was in New York City in November of 2008 as the driving force behind the United Nations “Culture of Peace” meeting that sought to build understanding among the world’s religious communities. “We say today with a single voice that religions through which God Almighty sought to bring happiness to mankind should not be turned into instruments to cause misery,” he said, adding, “Human beings are created equals and partners on this planet. Either they can live together in peace and harmony or they will inevitably be consumed by the flames of misunderstanding, malice and hatred.” When the President of Israel was at the UN podium he commented on King Abdullah’s call for tolerance and indictment of terrorism as an enemy of all religions saying, “I wish that your voice will become the prevailing voice of the whole region, of all people … it’s right, it’s needed, it’s promising.”
You also know of your president’s concerns about people working together to build a better future. Last year President Barack Obama opened a new dialogue with the Muslim world in his Cairo address, “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end. I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice, progress, tolerance and the dignity of all mankind.”
It was with those sentiments – a Saudi Muslim, an Israeli Jew and an American Christian – in mind that I found your forthright defense of religious tolerance and understanding from the first days of the current controversy, courageous and hopeful. The belief that “there is no neighborhood in the city that is off limits to God’s love and mercy” should give all human beings equal hope that we can make progress to understanding and living together in peace and prosperity.
Thank you.
Amr M. Khashoggi
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Related Materials:
- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s Remarks on Governor’s Island, Aug 3, 2010
- Working Together to Improve People’s Lives: A Conversation with Amr Khashoggi – SUSRIS – May 28, 2010
- An Open Letter from a Saudi Businessman Revisited – Amr Khashoggi – SUSRIS – Oct 24, 2007
- An Open Letter from a Saudi Businessman – Amr Khashoggi – SUSRIS – Jan 12, 2006
- The Importance of Volunteering – Amr Khashoggi – SUSRIS – Jan 14, 2010
Photo Credit: City of New York/Edward Reed
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