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May 08, 2010

Under the radar

Two blocks from the scene of the WTC massacre and smashed by falling debris, the Burlington Coat Factory is to be replaced by Cordoba House, a $100 million 13-storey mosque.

Note to New York city planners: Cordoba was liberated from its Muslim occupiers in the 29 June, 1236.

... some 9/11 families said they found the proposal offensive because the terrorists who launched the attacks were Muslim.

"I realize it's not all of them, but I don't want to have to go down to a memorial where my son died on 9/11 and look at a mosque," said retired FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Riches - whose son Jim, a firefighter, was killed on 9/11.

"If you ask me, it's a religion of hate," said Riches, who did not attend last night's meeting.

Rosemary Cain of Massapequa, L.I., whose son, Firefighter George Cain, 35, was killed in the 2001 attacks, called the project a "slap in the face."

"I think it's despicable. That's sacred ground," said Cain, who also did not attend the meeting. "How could anybody give them permission to build a mosque there? It tarnishes the area."

Posted by Ghost of a flea at May 8, 2010 08:33 AM