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WTC MUSLIM CENTER
Last updated on: 10/26/2010 10:38:36 AM PST WTC Muslim Center Home Page > Source Biographies > >Feisal Abdul Rauf, MS

Feisal Abdul Rauf, MS Biography

Title: Spiritual leader of Park51
Position: Pro to the question "Is It Appropriate to Build a Muslim Community Center (aka the ''Ground Zero Mosque'') near the World Trade Center site?"
Reasoning:
"We are proceeding with the community center. More important, we are doing so with the support of the downtown community, government at all levels and leaders from across the religious spectrum, who will be our partners. I am convinced that it is the right thing to do for many reasons.

Above all, the project will amplify the multifaith approach that the Cordoba Initiative has deployed in concrete ways for years...

I am very sensitive to the feelings of the families of victims of 9/11, as are my fellow leaders of many faiths. We will accordingly seek the support of those families, and the support of our vibrant neighborhood, as we consider the ultimate plans for the community center. Our objective has always been to make this a center for unification and healing...

The wonderful outpouring of support for our right to build this community center from across the social, religious and political spectrum seriously undermines the ability of anti-American radicals to recruit young, impressionable Muslims by falsely claiming that America persecutes Muslims for their faith. These efforts by radicals at distortion endanger our national security and the personal security of Americans worldwide. This is why Americans must not back away from completion of this project. If we do, we cede the discourse and, essentially, our future to radicals on both sides."

"Building on Faith," New York Times, Sep. 7, 2010
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:  Experts
Individuals with PhDs, JDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the WTC Muslim Center. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to WTC Muslim Center.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Spiritual leader, Park51, 2010-present
  • Chairman, Cordoba Initiative, 2004-present
  • Imam, Masjid al-Farah mosque, 1983-present
  • Founder, American Society for Muslim Advancement, 1997
  • Member, World Economic Forum Council of 100 Leaders
  • Board of Trustees, Islamic Center of New York
  • Advisor, Interfaith Center of New York
  • Education:
  • MS, Plasma Physics, Stevens Institute of Technology
  • BS, Physics, Columbia University, 1968
  • Other:
  • Was born in Kuwait in 1948
  • Recipient, Alliance Peacebuilder Award, 2006
  • Recipient, James Parks Morton Interfaith Award, 2006
  • Quoted in:
    • 1. Is It Appropriate to Build a Muslim Community Center (aka the ''Ground Zero Mosque'') near the World Trade Center site?
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