religion is without controversy. Recently, attention has been focused on the
construction of mosques in certain communities -- particularly New York.
Now, we must all recognize and respect the sensitivities surrounding the
development of Lower Manhattan. The 9/11 attacks were a deeply traumatic
event for our country. And the pain and the experience of suffering by
those who lost loved ones is just unimaginable. So I understand the
emotions that this issue engenders. And Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed
ground.
But let me be clear. As a
citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice
their religion as everyone else in this country. (Applause.) And
that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on
private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and
ordinances. This is America. And our commitment to religious
freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are
welcome in this country and that they will not be treated differently by their
government is essential to who we are. The writ of the Founders must endure.
We must never forget those who we
lost so tragically on 9/11, and we must always honor those who led the response
to that attack -- from the firefighters who charged up smoke-filled staircases,
to our troops who are serving in Afghanistan today. And let us also remember
who we're fighting against, and what we're fighting for. Our enemies
respect no religious freedom. Al Qaeda's cause is not Islam -- it's a
gross distortion of Islam. These are not religious leaders -- they're terrorists
who murder innocent men and women and children. In fact, al Qaeda has
killed more Muslims than people of any other religion -- and that list of
victims includes innocent Muslims who were killed on 9/11.
So that's who we're fighting
against. And the reason that we will win this fight is not simply the
strength of our arms -- it is the strength of our values. The democracy
that we uphold. The freedoms that we cherish. The laws that we apply
without regard to race, or religion, or wealth, or status. Our capacity
to show not merely tolerance, but respect towards those who are different from
us -- and that way of life, that quintessentially American creed, stands in
stark contrast to the nihilism of those who attacked us on that September
morning, and who continue to plot against us today.
In my inaugural address I said that
our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus --- and non-believers. We are
shaped by every language and every culture, drawn from every end of this
Earth. And that diversity can bring difficult debates. This is not
unique to our time. Past eras have seen controversies about the
construction of synagogues or Catholic churches. But time and again, the
American people have demonstrated that we can work through these issues, and
stay true to our core values, and emerge stronger for it. So it must be
-- and will be -- today.
President Obama has weighed in forcefully in favor of Muslims being allowed to build an Islamic mosque and community center not far from the Ground Zero site of the Nine Eleven attacks. In remarks to mark the Islamic holy time of Ramadan at the White House, the President for the ...
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