Research on controversies surrounding Park51

stanford.edu
gulfnews.com
time.com
globalresearch.ca

Park51 (Cordoba Center)

This Stanford University article is the one that seems to dig the deepest to find the root of the controversy.  This article contains insight into the fact that the root of this debate may lie in the original name of the project, The Cordoba House.   Muslim influence is explained to have been at an all-time high during this period. Although Christians and Jews lived side by side with Muslims at this time, there were certain regulations that place the outsider lower in society.  In making reference to a time that Muslims were considered a higher caste of citizens than other religions, the project's creators seem to have placed a target on their own heads.  I found the history provided here very helpful, and the lack of political bias refreshing.

Roots of American rage over Park 51

The second article puts the blame on the growing separation of understanding between the general American and Islam cultures.  It explains that we, as Americans, have gained a general distrust in Muslims.  Close to half of the United States population is cited as saying that the civil liberties of Muslims in the United States of America should be limited.  It is assumed that our view of Islam versus Islamic extremism has been substantially blurred.  An important point about avoiding generalization is made here, and I feel that making an educated assumption about this subject should be made while avoiding outside politics.

Ground Zero: Exaggerating the Jihadist Threat

The third article presented makes less of a point about the general growing fear of Islam and focuses more on the idea behind the building's particular placing.  We may not be anti-Muslim as a nation, but we do agree that placing a worship center of this persuasion on this particular lot is disrespectful.  A point is made to differentiate the center from simply a place of worship by boasting the presence of a "swimming pool, basketball court, auditorium, library, day-care facility, restaurant and cooking school."  I enjoy the educated approach taken in this article.  It seems to remain neutral, while still citing material from either side.

The Muslim Mosque at Ground Zero and Freedom of Religion in America

The last article is very overblown, but it seems to come down to the simplest explanation in its purest form.  This article leans on the United States Constitution. We, as Americans, are guaranteed the right to freedom of religion.  Regardless of your individual background as a citizen, our rights are quite precious. Why should you not lean on them?  The point of this one is, regardless of your view of Islam, Islamic Americans have the right to worship where and whenever they want.  My main gripe with article was how parties were labeled in a non-partisan review.  A point could stand out more without label given this kind of argument.