Daisy Khan Wife of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Rabbi Joy Levitt on Islamic Center near Ground Zero

Hi

I read in the news that Daisy Khan, the wife of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, has received death threats because of the ground zero Mosque.

That is dispicable and my heart goes out to her.

Having said that, I would like to understand why the principals of religious freedoms for Americans apply to religious structures that are financed by foriegn governments, like the ground zero Mosque.

I know many American Muslims, and they are a lot like me, even though I am Jewish. They generally believe in religious freedom of all Americans, they generally support the right of Israel to exist and the abhore the violence that occurs in the international Muslim world.

The American Muslims I know are all fine people, they are friends and I respect them. I feel that they are very different from the Muslims in the Arab world or Iran or else where. The governments of these countries teach totally irrational hatred of Jews and Americans blaming Americans and Jews for the 911 tragedy, and other bizarre things, like drinking the blood of non-Jewish children on Passover. People like this do not share values with Americans, American Jews and American Muslims.

I think that the American Muslim community has a lot to offer America, but it will have to distinguish itself from the Islam and the attrocities that are committed in the name of Alla.

Sincerely,
Roy Chesnut