Mosque critics mistaken

The whole country right now is in a debate about plans to build a supposed mosque at the location of the fallen World Trade Center. I'd agree that it probably would be inappropriate to build a place intended for the worship of the religion that motivated the 9/11 attackers on the very site they destroyed. But those simply aren't the facts.

First of all, it's not a mosque. The plans are to build a Muslim community center — only the two uppermost floors, designated as places for prayer, would be devoted to worship. It would contain a culinary arts center and a basketball court. It's hardly more religious than a YMCA building. Second, it's not terribly close to ground zero. It's actually a couple blocks away. Those who oppose the construction of this community center like to characterize the location as being literally at ground zero. In reality, it's surrounded by many buildings. The proposed community center would blend in.

When one understands the actual facts of the matter, one will see that there is nothing controversial about this situation at all.

R. Jay Hutchinson

Kaysville