New York Gov. David Paterson is said to have scheduled a meeting with Sharif El-Gamal, the developer proposing to build an Islamic mosque near the site of the 9/11 attacks in New York City:
New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will meet with the imam and developer of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero “later this week” to discuss the possibility of removing the mosque to an “alternate location”, according to Rep. Peter King (R).
King, an outspoken opponent of placing the mosque and Islamic cultural center so close to where terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, received a call from Paterson this morning.
“We are working with the developers on a staff level but there have not been any formal discussions between the Governor and Imam or developer,” said Morgan Hook, a spokesman for Paterson. “However, we expect to have a meeting scheduled in the near future.”
King spoke with Paterson this morning.
While Paterson is badly damaged politically — he is not seeking re-election this fall amid polling numbers suggesting such a bid would have been quixotic at best — his planned meeting is sure to keep the mosque story alive.
The issue, which had been bubbling in New York City for months, took on a national profile on Friday when President Barack Obama seemed to offer a tacit endorsement of the construction by expressing support for religious freedom in the country.
Less than 24 hours later, however, Obama made clear he had not meant to talk specifically about any one mosque but rather his comments were meant as a broad statement about the need for religious tolerance.
King, an outspoken opponent of placing the mosque and Islamic cultural center so close to where terrorists attacked on Sept. 11, 2001, received a call from Paterson this morning.
“We are working with the developers on a staff level but there have not been any formal discussions between the Governor and Imam or developer,” said Morgan Hook, a spokesman for Paterson. “However, we expect to have a meeting scheduled in the near future.”
King spoke with Paterson this morning.
While Paterson is badly damaged politically — he is not seeking re-election this fall amid polling numbers suggesting such a bid would have been quixotic at best — his planned meeting is sure to keep the mosque story alive.
The issue, which had been bubbling in New York City for months, took on a national profile on Friday when President Barack Obama seemed to offer a tacit endorsement of the construction by expressing support for religious freedom in the country.
Less than 24 hours later, however, Obama made clear he had not meant to talk specifically about any one mosque but rather his comments were meant as a broad statement about the need for religious tolerance.
If indeed the mosque were to be removed based on cultural sensitivity rather than government action, that would mark a perfect ending to the controversy.
