Ground Zero debate - what is your view....?

Image shows the socio-polarisation that the application has induced in America and globally!

We have received many emails requesting our opinion on the Ground Zero application for a mosque site.  Because this is not an area in which we usually get ourselves involved we have let other blog and websites discuss the matter.  However, we received an anguished email of rather lengthy proportions, that has described some of the angst many of those in our Christian family residing in Pakistan will no doubt share.  We have included the email in this posting to stimulate debate and refresh opinions in our community and would encourages readers to respond.  My personal stance (not that of the BPCA)  is that the application is definitely insensitive- so close to a major atrocity apportioned to militant Islamic terrorism.  Here is the email received from Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar (sic):

Dear Brother/Sister in Christ!


Greetings from Jhumra City Pakistan!

It is my great pleasure writing you down as your younger brother, servant of Christ from Pakistan. First of all I'm sharing with you most urgent prayer request for Nation of America is facing many problems. I decided to contact & convey reports & current situation country of America. We pray to bless you America & God give you freedom, prosperity, restoration and much money for fulfilled country needs. This is our responsibility as a servant of Christ to pray for each other in world? We know that God knowing our patient, diligent, honestly, sincerity, loyalty, hard working for God's purpose in the end-time worldwide. I know that at this time Holy Spirit allow or guide to you & God give opportunity, direction then you will consider my sympathetically request.

The American Christian Worried New Build Mosque At Ground Zero New York City????

I hope & believe in Christ the all American Religious Organizations, Churches, Ministries, Saint people and all servants of Christ doesn't agreeing & giving permission build a New Mosque & Musallah near at Ground Zero New York city America. There are more than 1500 mosques in US. There is no opposition to mosque but only proximity to the 911 site of where 3000 civilian died in the air attack by Islamic extremists. Why do the Muslims insist the mosque should be near ground zero, which is now a sacred ground for the relatives of the victims and majority Americans? Why do they not build their mosque elsewhere in NY? Will the native Indians allow a mosque, church or a temple to be built on or near their sacred burial grounds? No, never, the mosque be allowed to be built at this sacred site just as the Muslims will allow a church be built at Mecca or for that matter in Saudi Arabia and the views of the terrorists Al-Qaida are immaterial, and should be treated as such.

At the location of the mosque is insensitive because the terrorists who struck were Islamic extremists. The plans call for a $100 million Islamic center two blocks from where almost 3,000 people perished when hijacked jetliners slammed into the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. A spokesman for Republican Sharron Angle, Reid's opponent, said Muslims have the right to worship anywhere, but Obama's support for construction of the mosque at ground zero "ignored the wishes of the American people, this time at the expense of victims of 9/11 and their families. On Friday, Obama used an annual dinner at the White House celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to weigh in on a controversy that grabbed New York and the nation."

As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," Obama said.

Sarah Palin's comments again were saying implicitly that mosques are associated with violence and terrorism and though he adds that he thinks the tension over this proposed mosque is unique due to the "raw wounds" of the

9/11 attacks. "At the highest level, even in America, we have a [former] vice presidential candidate she can openly make a statement like this.

Public protests against three planned mosques have made news in the past

week: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin joined others in opposing the building of a mosque a few blocks from the World Trade Center site. Hundreds demonstrated against a proposed mosque in a small town in Tennessee, and some residents of Temecula, California, are opposing the local Muslim community's plan to build a bigger mosque.

Some counter-terrorism experts say the anti-Muslim sentiment that has saturated the airwaves and blogs in the debate over plans for an Islamic center near ground zero in Lower Manhattan is playing into the hands of extremists by bolstering their claims that the United States is hostile to Islam. Opposition to the center by prominent politicians and other public figures in the US has been covered extensively by the news media in Muslim countries. At a time of concern about radicalization of young Muslims in the west, it risks adding new fuel to al-Qaida's claim that Islam is under attack by the west and must be defended with violence, some specialists on Islamic militancy say.
I know that your prayers can change nations. Pray also for the all saints, religious & political worldwide leaders (1-Tim 2:1-3) that they might repent of their hardness of heart and come to salvation through Christ. Please help with your prayers that we can win "All worldwide religious & political worldwide leaders" as well as that other country for Jesus Christ. May God bless you all who pray for us? I hope every Christians in our countries have freedom very soonest & growing rapidly in Christ. Thank you so very much.

Jesus blesses you all. May God grant you a great harvest as you plant and water for Him!
Yours Servant in Christ!

Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar

Chairman
The Preaching Society & Social Welfare Services
Faisalabad
PAKISTAN