Insanity in New York
A mysterious Muslim group with unknown sponsors has purchased a building steps away from Ground Zero.
An identified group with unknown sponsors has purchased buildingsteps away from where the WorldTrade Center once stood — to turn itinto potentially one of the largest New York City mosques.
At the moment the building, the old Burlington Coat Factory, alreadyserves as a mini-mosque: an iron grill lifts every Friday afternoon fora little known Imam leading prayers a few yards away from where OsamaBin Laden’s airborne Islamist bombers killed nearly 3000 people back in2001.
The Imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf, told the New York Times — which put thestory on its front page Wednesday — that he has assembled severalmillion dollars to turn it into ‘’an Islamic center near the city’smost hallowed piece of land that would stand as one of ground zero’smore unexpected and striking neighbors.’’
The 61-year-old Imam said he paid $4.85 million for it — in cash,records show. With 50,000 square feet of air rights and enoughfinancing, he plans an ambitious project of $150 million, he said, akinto the Chautauqua Institution, the 92 Street Y or the Jewish CommunityCenter.
The origins of such monies are unexplained; neither are thecountries or entity advancing such huge donations. Most US mosques,including many in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx are funded directly orindirectly by Saudi Arabia the country to which 15 of the 19 hijackerswho bombed the World TradeCenter belonged. The UAE, Qatar and Iran areother major sponsors across the USA.