Supporters of mosque strongly reject proposal
New York Governor David Paterson offered state land as an alternative site for the Cordoba Initiative mosque to be built near Ground Zero.
The governor’s office acknowledged that they couldn't simply "provide" public land for a religious group and therefore must “competitively sell state land by bidding.”
Paterson stated, "If the sponsors were looking for property anywhere at a distance that would be such that it would accommodate a better feeling among the people who are frustrated, I would look into trying to provide them with the state property they would need."
The Democratic governor admitted that he does not have issue with the Cordoba Initiative and supports their mosque proposal. However, the NY governor stated he is ‘sensitive’ to the feelings of those adamantly opposed.
Mosque developer Sharif El-Gamal rejected the governor’s proposal for an alternative site and claimed a need to “serve Lower Manhattan.”
Another prominent mosque supporter also rejected the governor's proposal and stated, “Paterson's remarks validate the idea that all Muslims are responsible for what terrorists did on September 11, 2001.”
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