An ambitious plan to build a mosque next to New York's Ground Zero is prompting hope - and anger - in a city scarred by terrorism. There's little to see now at the site, an abandoned clothing store two blocks from the former World Trade Centre where nearly 3000 people died on September 11, 2001.
But Feisal Abdul Rauf, a New York imam and a leader of the project, says the planned multi-storey Islamic centre will transform both the drab lower Manhattan street and the way Americans have looked on Muslims since 9/11.
Boasting a mosque with sports facilities, a theatre and possibly day care, the centre would be open to all visitors to demonstrate that Muslims are part of their community, not some separate element.
"There's nothing like this that we know of in the United States,' Rauf told AFP. 'This will be a community centre for everyone, not just for Muslims, but non-Muslims.'
Many look forward to the centre, which Rauf estimates will cost $US105-140 million to build, possibly financed with bonds.
Plan for mosque near Ground Zero angers
The stench of corpses still emanates from this haunted sinkhole in Manhattan. I can't think of a better place to build a mosque. I'm sure it will bring healing and harmony to Manhattan, as Islam does everywhere it goes.
