NEW YORK — After hours of contentious public comment, a New York City community board voted late Tuesday to support a plan to build a mosque and cultural center near ground zero.
“It’s a seed of peace,” board member Rob Townley said. “We believe that this is a significant step in the Muslim community to counteract the hate and fanaticism in the minority of the community.”
The vote was 29-1 in favor of the plan, with 10 abstentions.
The move by the Manhattan Community Board 1, while not necessary for the building’s owners to move forward with the project, is seen as key to obtaining residents’ support.
The meeting was unruly, with project opponents jeering at speakers and yelling comments such as “You’re building over a Christian cemetery!” while holding signs that read “Show respect for 3000,” among other things.
Many said they were not opposed to a mosque — just not one that’s two blocks from ground zero.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said he understood the pain that people have about Sept. 11. But he said his community and congregation were among those who died in the attacks.
“We have condemned the terror of 9/11,” he said. “We have worked to ensure that our mosques are not recruiting grounds for terrorists.”
