8/9/2019 Editorial_ Tax Dollars to Build Mosques - Washington Times

1/2

Editorials

Commentary

Letters

Water Cooler

Decker

Kuhner

Nugent

Mastio

Blankley

EDITORIAL: Tax dollars to build mosquesU.S. underwrites fundraising tour for Islamic shrine at Ground Zero

By THE WASHINGTON TIMES

-

The Washington Times

7:46 p.m., Tuesday, August 10, 2010

The State Department(/topics/department-of-state/) is sending Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf(/topics/feisal-abdul-rauf/) -

the mastermind of the Ground Zero Mosque - on a trip through the Middle East to foster "greater

understanding" about Islam and Muslim communities in the United States(/topics/united-states-of-america/) .

However, important questions are being raised about whether this is simply a taxpayer-funded fundraising jaunt

to underwrite his reviled project, which is moving ahead in Lower Manhattan.

Mr. Rauf(/topics/feisal-abdul-rauf/) is scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia(/topics/saudi-arabia/) , Dubai, Abu Dhabi,

Bahrain(/topics/bahrain/) and Qatar(/topics/qatar/) , the usual stops for Gulf-based fundraising. The State

Department(/topics/department-of-state/) defends the five-country tour saying that Mr. Rauf(/topics/feisal-abdul-

rauf/) is "a distinguished Muslim cleric," but surely the government could find another such figure in the United

States(/topics/united-states-of-america/)who is not seeking millions of dollars to fund a construction project that

has so strongly divided America.

By funding the trip so soon after New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission(/topics/new-york-citys-

landmarks-preservation-commission/)gave the go-ahead to demolish the building on the proposed mosque site, the

State Department(/topics/department-of-state/) is creating the appearance that the U.S. government(/topics

/us-government/) is facilitating the construction of this shameful structure. It gives Mr. Rauf(/topics/feisal-abdul-

rauf/) not only access but imprimatur to gather up foreign cash. And because Mr. Rauf(/topics/feisal-abdul-rauf/)has refused to reveal how he plans to finance his costly venture, the American public is left with the impression

it will be a wholly foreign enterprise. This contradicts the argument that a mosque is needed in that part of New

York City to provide services for a burgeoning Muslim population. If so many people need the mosque so

badly, presumably they could figure out a way to pay for it themselves.

Americans also may be surprised to learn that the United States(/topics/united-states-of-america/) has been an

active participant in mosque construction projects overseas. In April, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso E.

EDITORIAL: Tax dollars to build mosques - Washington Times http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/10/tax-doll

of 2 8/11/10 4:30

8/9/2019 Editorial_ Tax Dollars to Build Mosques - Washington Times

2/2