A powerful state politician joined with Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday in suggesting that Islamic leaders should move a proposed Islamic center and mosque farther from ground zero, saying the organizers should be more sensitive to opponents.
The Cordoba Initiative has the right to build the center at a building two blocks from ground zero but should be open to compromise, said New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who represents the lower Manhattan district.
"In the spirit of living with others, they should be cognizant of the feelings of others and try to find a location that doesn't engender the deep feelings the currently exist about this site," Silver said.
Critics say the building is too close to where Islamic extremists destroyed the World Trade Center on 2001 and killed nearly 2,800 people. Supporters say religious freedom should be protected.
"I think the sponsors should take into very serious consideration the kind of turmoil that's been created and look to compromise," Silver said.
Paterson, who has expressed dismay over the heated arguments on the issue, was meeting Tuesday with New York Roman Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan to try to suggest an alternative. Meanwhile, the developer was expected to attend an annual dinner Tuesday night hosted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has spoken in support of the project.
Paterson has yet to meet with anyone from the Cordoba Initiative. Its co-founder, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is on a Mideast trip funded by the U.S. State Department. He alluded to the controversy at a dinner Sunday night for student leaders at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Manama, Bahrain.
"The fact we are getting this kind of attention is a sign of success," he said.
"It is my hope that people will understand more. ... This is something we are doing for our generation."
Rauf also thanked President Barack Obama, who has said Muslims had the right to practice their religion and build the Islamic center in lower Manhattan. The president later said he wasn't endorsing the specifics of the plan.
"I'm grateful to President Obama for his support for the project," said Rauf.
The White House on Tuesday said that Obama would have no further comment on the issue and that the administration will not get involved in talks about relocating the facility. Republicans have vowed to make Obama's support of the project a campaign issue in this fall's midterm elections.
Rauf, who has rarely spoken publicly about the project, said that he was leery of the media and that it is portraying a negative image of Muslims to the West. He also said he doesn't like Muslims portraying a bad image of the West to the Muslim world.
In an interview published Monday with the Bahrain newspaper, Al Wasat, Rauf said he was trying to get Islamic scholars to agree on laws that will encourage Muslims to be "more effective members of their communities."
He said Muslims can remain faithful and be engaged in the affairs of the countries where they live.
"I see that every religious community faces challenges, but the real challenge lies in keeping true to the core values of the faith and how to express these values in a specific time and place," he was quoted as telling the newspaper.
He added that he wanted to see Muslims in the U.S. have "complete nationalism" and fulfill their rights and duties to the larger community.
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Associated Press writer Michael Gormley in Albany contributed to this report.
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