Jeffery Goldberg on Feisal Abdul Rauf and Osama bin Laden

From his Atlantic blog from earlier in the month

I know Feisal Abdul Rauf; I’ve spoken with him at a public discussion at the 96th street mosque in New York about interfaith cooperation. He represents what Bin Laden fears most: a Muslim who believes that it is possible to remain true to the values of Islam and, at the same time, to be a loyal citizen of a Western, non-Muslim country. Bin Laden wants a clash of civilizations; the opponents of the mosque project are giving him what he wants.

Indeed.

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Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Zelsdorf Ragshaft III says:

    I guess that is the reason Rauf is refusing to disclose where the money is comming from. What I understand is Rauf may be willing to accept money to build the terrorist recruiting site in lower Manhattan from Iran. Good deal. They could have a floor dedicated to Hamas and another floor dedicated to Hezbolla. I suspect the 12th floor will be dedicated to the construction of a devise which will insure the return of the 12th Imam. The parts will be shipped in from Iran. Those who have taken the time to look at Isam from its beginnings and how it was spread and how they crowd out other religious beliefs once they get the strength to do so have sounded the clarion. There are those who are tone deaf and refuse to hear. I guess it must be something in the water in NYC. Hundreds of years ago Native Americans allowed invaders to settle on their land. Through those acts of tolerance, the Native Americans lost their culture, land and their freedom. The same tactic is being used against us today. If I am wrong, book me a flight and a room in Mecca.

  2. John Burgess says:

    James: Your blog, your rules, of course, but the above comment goes beyond an expansive definition of crazy.

  3. Alex Knapp says:

    Zelsdorf,

    I guess that is the reason Rauf is refusing to disclose where the money is comming from.

    They haven’t started fundraising yet.

    What I understand is Rauf may be willing to accept money to build the terrorist recruiting site in lower Manhattan from Iran.

    [citation needed]

    They could have a floor dedicated to Hamas and another floor dedicated to Hezbolla.

    I doubt that either organization would provide support given that this is an interfaith project that includes Christians and Jews on the board and features a non-denominational worship center.

    I suspect the 12th floor will be dedicated to the construction of a devise which will insure the return of the 12th Imam.

    Imam Rauf is a Sufi.

  4. An Interested Party says:

    “If I am wrong, book me a flight and a room in Mecca.”

    I suspect most of the people there would just point at you and laugh, just like we do here…

  5. davod says:

    “They haven’t started fundraising yet.”

    Where did they get the $5.4M to buy half of the building.

  6. The Q says:

    So what would the reaction be if a group of Muslim parents objected to a Catholic church being established in their area on the grounds that child molesters (based on the thousands of reported incidents and the billions the church has paid out globally – $600 million in the Los Angeles diocese alone!) may be hiding among the priests, therefore the church should be moved to a neighborhood with a dearth of children?

    I am sure the conservatives would back them immediately right?