The Mosque at Ground Zero Has A Marketing Problem

by rabbifink on August 3, 2010 · 21 comments

This post has been cross-posted to DovBear: Islamaphobia and Cordoba House

It seems that the Cordoba House in downtown Manhattan has cleared a major hurdle by winning a 9-0 vote of the Landmarks Conservation Commission. (NY Times link)

Conservatives and liberals seem to be at loggerheads on this particular issue. Sarah Palin made headlines with her plea that the center be blocked and fellow right wing pundits have expressed their distaste to the center. They feel it disgraces the deceased by glorifying what they believe to be the religion that caused the tragedy at Ground Zero almost 9 years ago. Liberals, on the other hand, see the center as an olive branch to Islam and think the center glorifies America, not the dangerous form of Islamic Fundamentalism that took down the Twin Towers, 3000 victims and the U.S. economy.

I can’t say whether the center is an affront or not. That’s because it varies with each person. Everyone is free to react as they choose. I can’t say one side is right and one side is wrong.

What I can say is that the center has a bad marketing plan.

The center is not a mosque. It is a massive cultural center. There is a sanctuary planned but it is a minor part of a broader institution. An institution that, according to their website attempts to bring the gap between Islam and the West. An institution that also fights for women’s rights and opportunitities within Islam. In fact, if we are to believe the Cordoba website, it is exactly what Americans (especially Conservatives) should be supporting.

From their website:

Cordoba House is a Muslim-led project which will build a world-class facility that promotes tolerance, reflecting the rich diversity of New York City.  The center will be community-driven, serving as a platform for inter-community gatherings and cooperation at all levels, providing a space for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

This proposed project is about promoting integration, tolerance of difference and community cohesion through arts and culture.  Cordoba House will provide a place where individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, will find a center of learning, art and culture; and most importantly, a center guided by Islamic values in their truest form – compassion, generosity, and respect for all.

The site will contain tremendous amounts of resources that otherwise would not exist in Lower Manhattan; a 500-seat auditorium, swimming pool, art exhibition spaces, bookstores, restaurants – all these services would form a cultural nexus for a region of New York City that, as it continues to grow, requires the sort of hub that Cordoba House will provide.

So why call themselves a mosque? Bad marketing.

The center is not “at Ground Zero” either. It is 2 blocks away. If you’ve never been to Manhattan you can’t appreciate how FAR part 2 blocks in NYC are. Two blocks in Manhattan is very far. It is a few minutes walk and more importantly, it is certainly not within the line of sight. They should be saying that their center is a few minutes walk from Ground Zero. Not “at Ground Zero”.

From their website:

So the Mosque at Ground Zero is neither a mosque nor at Ground Zero. It is an Islamic Center in Downtown Manhattan. Is that still as offensive to those who oppose the center?

The only reasonable explanation for opposition that remains is conspiracy.

In other words, the website is a sham. The REAL purpose of Cordoba House is to spread Fundamental Islam and serve as a springboard for the continued spread of Islam in their quest for world dominance. This is Islamaphobia.

There are people who believe this to be the case. I do not.

If you are asking me, which you aren’t, I say support the Cordoba House and the brand of Islam they espouse and perhaps get involved a see it for yourself if you are not convinced. Working together will go a long way.

Related posts:

  1. Ground Zero Mosque vs. Downtown Manhattan Islamic Cultural Center: Video Debate
  2. Controversial Ads Against Cordoba Center Are Ironic
  3. Recess + Litigation = Big Problem

Tagged as: 9/11, Cordoba House, dovbear, Ground Zero, Islam, marketing, mosque, politics, tolerance

  • Dov Kramer

    It remains to be seen what it will be and how it will be used. Ideally, it will show that there is a real version of Islam that is not what the world now thinks Islam is all about.

    If there is a mechanism in place make sure it is not used to recruit/spread fundamentalism, it could be a great thing. If not, it could be the beginning of the Islamification of America.

    • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

      Replied on DovBear.

      That’s a terrible analogy and you could do better…

      • Izzy

        I am sorry to have disapointed you. I will try better next time. My response on DB.

  • leslie friedman

    One need only to look at what is happening in much of Europe where Muslims have become part of the fabric of free societies. Actually, they don’t become part of the fabric; it is more like another piece of cloth. There is no society that has improved due to their presence, quite the opposite. It is dangerous to believe this “cultural center” is what it is purported to be. Mosque/cultural center/whatever — they are more quietly being built all over this country, not just near Ground Zero. Perhaps there is good reason for “Islamophobia.” Which of their countries would you want to live in? Be able to live in? It is a known fact that the “truth” espoused by many Muslims is anything but. This “cultural center” will be a breeding ground for radical elements, of which there are many. It’s just a matter of time. Of course it sounds so open-minded and reasonable to want people of all religions to be able to express their beliefs freely and equally — but this isn’t just another religion, and they do not live in harmony with anyone else once their numbers grow. Their use of American freedoms will ultimately make us less free. We already are. Why do you think there are security measures everywhere? Airports, office buildings, schools, concerts, etc.? There was a time this was unheard of. It’s because of practitioners of the so-called religion of peace.

    • Joan Ziff

      Leslie, I agree with you. We, as Jews, have always been an open minded, rational, justice oriented culture. Not perfect in the least; these are just part of our cultural heritage. But to be completely open to this Islamic Center would be naive, given the recent activities in America, including the discovery of anti American terrorists living in suburbia. How many violent incidents are to be tolerated here or abroad? There comes a time when one must say “Enough-no more Mr. Nice Guy attitudes”. We are better off to follow the model of the Western Cowboy-a more protective, more discriminating, tough-guy point of view-at least until recognizable safety and security have been established. The Palestinian population for example wants to give its people the “right of return” and allow Palestinians from all over the world to live in Israel under the auspices of a 2 state solution. But if that were to happen, Zionism, or the return of Jews to their homeland,Israel, would be outnumbered and quite possibly, destroyed. Muslim activists have ALWAYS had an ulterior motive towards democratic values, specifically Jewish ones, so why are we allowing ourselves to be hoodwinked? Take note that in the Koran, Muslims are instructed to destroy Jews. Now, obviously not everyone is a fundamentalist terrorist, but the directives go so far back, that these ideas are part and parcel of the Islamic heritage . I’m not saying anything new-we all know this-I’m just reminding you to REMEMBER!

    • YC

      re One need only to look at what is happening in much of Europe

      A day we hear a call to ban the burqa in the United States: that is what I fear

  • Izzy

    The best analogy that I have seen is that of a hypothetical German cultural center at Auschwitz, which celebrates the German people, history, and culture, and attempts to promote understanding between German and other cultures. Is there a place in this world for such a center? Yes, I think there is. Would Auschwitz, which has become a symbol to the world of the Holocaust, a period in which the German people and their allies murdered millions of people, in part under the banner of the superiority of the German people, be an appropriate location for such a center? No, I think it would be an affront to the memory of the millions that Auschwitz is intended to memorialize. Does that make me anti-German?

    • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

      Replied on DovBear.

      That’s a terrible analogy and you could do better…

  • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

    That’s what they say, and that is what I hope happens.

  • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

    I can’t tell you what to fear and what to think. I just don’t share those fears or thoughts.

    • richard friedman

      The primary obstacle in Liberal thought is a narcissistic view of the universe-viewing others not thru a window, but rather a mirror, musing how everyone is well- meaning, kind and moral just like we are. It’s sweet but extremely dangerous if not absurdly inane . Cordoba is part of a historical pattern of Muslim conquest of infidels. Building Mosques upon churches as in Cordoba Spain or the Al Aqsaa in Jerusalem atop the temple Mount is not an aberration but consistent unapologetic Muslim behavior;. a study of Islam and the Koran is a must for anyone attempting to second guess Muslim intentions. Ignoring Israel’s nightmarish 60- year year history under Muslim Apartheid is simply incomprehensible and self delusional. The Torah in particular is not wishy washy in calling a spade a spade; evil is clearly delineated as well as good.

      • sam

        This is a good idea to inject the civilized culture in to Islam
        We can work together and lead the barbarian culture in to the civilized one

        • James

          Very true Sam. But first there mst be respect. It is eviden the ispamic world has struggled with this issue since it’s denial of Torah, .

  • http://twitter.com/MarkSoFla Mark

    E Fink – From their website:

    I’m not sure if their website is a good source for this argument. After all, the Hamas website says good things about Hamas.The US government website says good things about the US. Etc.

    I don’t think Americans are the big issue here, most Americans don’t really care about the mosque; They do care about getting good jobs and making a living. I think the bigger issue is that this mosque will be (and already is) portrayed as having been built “at” ground zero which will be perceived by many Muslims (and others) worldwide as “building the victory mosque at the location of the victory”, just like a mosque has been built at the site of almost every other great victory throughout history. This doesn’t mean that all Muslims are anti-USA or pro-terror, just like many Muslims around the world celebrating joyously during 9/11/2001 didn’t mean it.

  • james

    mosque at ground zero. jusr another symbolic gesture of historical tradition in islam. just like the mosque in Jerusalem. Serving as a momentary triumph using fear and aggresion over fellow man. Quite saddening really and simply a mockery toward civilized society. …..just my opinion

  • Martin Horwitz

    How sad it is that so many “replies” to Rabbi Fink’s reasoned post either did not read it or do not want to know that 1)this is a cultural center with a planned prayer area and it is NOT at Ground Zero but 2 1/2 blocks away.

    My father would say to them: “Dont’ be an anti-semit!!” this was his shorthand for any bigot.

    And isn’t it ironic that when many Jewish “voices” have called for moderate Muslims to speak up, when one with proven credentials does, then he is lumped with the most radical Muslims. As if all Jewish settlers were responsible for Barukh Goldstein or the assassin of Itzhak Rabin.

    • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

      Martin:

      Thanks for stopping by. Unfortunately, you are right.

      Fear is a bitter pill…

    • leslie friedman

      Are you saying that Imam Rauf is a moderate? The same man who presented his book “What’s Right about Islam” (I need to double check the title) at the Kuala Lumpur Hizb ut Tahrir gathering a year or two ago? Hizb ut Tahrir is an organization that believes all the world’s Muslims should be ruled by a caliph wherever they may live. They also call for the dismantling of Israel, have not denounced terrorist groups such as Hamas, and want to do away with America and the west’s “colonial policies.” Imam Rauf is no moderate. He may present himself as one, but he is not — and we all know his infamous line after 9/11 about the US being at least partly at fault for the Twin Towers’ destruction. It is scary to me that intelligent people are fooled by him and others like him. The stakes are simply too high to take chances. Of course the real problem is not this “cultural center” — it is the proliferation of practitioners of the most repressive religion on earth all over this country, not merely near Ground Zero. This will come back to haunt us. Let’s not forget what we would not be allowed to build in their countries. Why don’t they show some inter-cultural understanding? Why must we continue to kowtow to them?

  • http://jessicagottlieb.com Jessica Gottlieb

    This all seems very anti American. If they can’t have a cultural center, then we Americans move one step closer to emulating the Taliban.

    • http://finkorswim.com rabbifink

      EXACTLY!

  • Pingback: Ground Zero Mosque vs. Downtown Manhattan Islamic Cultural Center: Video Debate | Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi

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