President Obama Comes Out in Support of "Ground Zero Mosque"

Earlier today, President Obama publicly commented on the controversy involving the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" (which is not actually a mosque and not actually at Ground Zero, but I digress). In a statement that will cheer those who believe in religious freedom and religious toleration, he came out strongly in support of the project, saying:

As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anybody else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances. This is America and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and that they will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are.

It is refreshing and gratifying to hear these words from the President of the United States. The recent upsurge in anti-Muslim bigotry in America should be a cause for deep concern among Global Citizens everywhere and Americans in particular. Almost as concerning is the fact that so many Americans are silently allowing these vicious hate-mongers to go unanswered.

This is not just a moral issue. If the anti-Muslim elements in the United States succeeded in blocking the construction of the Islamic community center, what message does that send to the world's Muslims about America? It would be handing Al Qaeda and its allies an invaluable propaganda weapon.

Global Citizens in the United States should follow the example of President Obama and vocally champion the right of Muslim-Americans to exercise their religious liberty.