Part 3- Ground Zero Mosque: An Artistic Response to an American Tragedy
By Ben Verdi
Much has been said, written, screamed by protesters for and against the construction of the Park51 Cultural Center (formerly known as the Cordoba House) that is planning on opening its doors in roughly four years in downtown Manhattan. The center is controversial because of the ways in which people believe it is infringing on “hallowed ground” (Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood) and is in some ways seen as a sign of more Muslim aggression against the hearts and minds of New Yorkers, and all Americans who are still grieving over the tragedy of September 11th, 2001.
But, while controversy has stirred debates and fueled passions of people from the media to the middle of lower Manhattan’s streets, one key part of this cultural center (which it seems we’ve all agreed to ignorantly call a Mosque) is being overlooked. That is the fact that Park51 will have within its walls one of the first true memorials to the 9/11 tragedy. Now, some may call this a political decision in order to win the support—or at least reduce the protests—of people who think this cultural center is offensive to their American patriotism and to a ground that looks as destroyed and awful as it does “because of Islam.” Some may even go as far as to say this small memorial within the $100 million dollar walls of the center is actually a sign of how little Muslims care about the grieving process that many are still clearly going through post-9/11. But what few seem to be thinking about is the ways in which this 9/11 memorial, and this cultural center in general, might be re-interpreted as incredibly soulful, artistic and (ironically) American responses to such a horrible national tragedy.
For instance, the claim that the Park51 Center is somewhat of a slap in the face to the people who suffered on 9/11 is quickly undone when we consider how many Muslims were also killed on September 11th, 2001, innocent victims murdered as painfully and senselessly as any white, black, Jewish or Christian person was that day. Also, beneath the not-so-veiled bigotries of those who oppose the construction of the center lies a unique opportunity to see this Cultural Center as an amazing and artistic step forward for Americans going through that grieving process they claim is still needed in the wake of the tragedy.
Think about it, although the project is costly, and will produce a beautiful, state-of-the-art gym, restaurant, pool and theater, Park51’s construction could almost be read as a humble step towards reconciliation, a sign that sensible, American Muslims want closure after 9/11 as well, and want to revitalize a community, a faith and an aspect of American culture, (that aspect being unity) that was so devastated by people who claimed to believe the same things they do.
But, while controversy has stirred debates and fueled passions of people from the media to the middle of lower Manhattan’s streets, one key part of this cultural center (which it seems we’ve all agreed to ignorantly call a Mosque) is being overlooked. That is the fact that Park51 will have within its walls one of the first true memorials to the 9/11 tragedy. Now, some may call this a political decision in order to win the support—or at least reduce the protests—of people who think this cultural center is offensive to their American patriotism and to a ground that looks as destroyed and awful as it does “because of Islam.” Some may even go as far as to say this small memorial within the $100 million dollar walls of the center is actually a sign of how little Muslims care about the grieving process that many are still clearly going through post-9/11. But what few seem to be thinking about is the ways in which this 9/11 memorial, and this cultural center in general, might be re-interpreted as incredibly soulful, artistic and (ironically) American responses to such a horrible national tragedy.
For instance, the claim that the Park51 Center is somewhat of a slap in the face to the people who suffered on 9/11 is quickly undone when we consider how many Muslims were also killed on September 11th, 2001, innocent victims murdered as painfully and senselessly as any white, black, Jewish or Christian person was that day. Also, beneath the not-so-veiled bigotries of those who oppose the construction of the center lies a unique opportunity to see this Cultural Center as an amazing and artistic step forward for Americans going through that grieving process they claim is still needed in the wake of the tragedy.
Think about it, although the project is costly, and will produce a beautiful, state-of-the-art gym, restaurant, pool and theater, Park51’s construction could almost be read as a humble step towards reconciliation, a sign that sensible, American Muslims want closure after 9/11 as well, and want to revitalize a community, a faith and an aspect of American culture, (that aspect being unity) that was so devastated by people who claimed to believe the same things they do.
Thus, the center’s proposed 9/11 memorial, a project for which Park51 is actually still seeking local artists, is not only going to help reconcile still-grieving New Yorkers with the peace of mind they desire, but will also serve as an artistic means of re-including Muslims under the umbrella identity of “American."
And in about four years the people of downtown Manhattan will see that the Park51 Cultural Center not only houses a memorial to a tragedy that caused more pain than any in the history of America, but, shining, brilliant (and eco-friendly), the building itself is a bit of an American Muslim response to 9/11 that is as classically American as it is peacefully Muslim.
We cannot change the past, so let’s move on together, and progressively help one another create beauty and hope and rejuvenation once more in the area of our country that we all agree needs it most.
And in about four years the people of downtown Manhattan will see that the Park51 Cultural Center not only houses a memorial to a tragedy that caused more pain than any in the history of America, but, shining, brilliant (and eco-friendly), the building itself is a bit of an American Muslim response to 9/11 that is as classically American as it is peacefully Muslim.
We cannot change the past, so let’s move on together, and progressively help one another create beauty and hope and rejuvenation once more in the area of our country that we all agree needs it most.
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