I would like to comment on the Sept. 23-29 letter from Bob Friedrich entitled “Candidate regrets using image of 9/11 in campaign literature.”
After apologizing for using the images, Friedrich tries to convey his position on the planned Islamic cultural center two blocks from Ground Zero.
Friedrich suggests that “the mosque be located further from Ground Zero because of the nature of the site and the concerns and sensitivities of families who suffered personal losses.”
What of the feelings of the Muslims who suffered the same losses? Do they not have a right to pray near the site where their loved ones died? I do not remember how many Muslims perished at Ground Zero, but I seem to remember it was a significant number.
And, in Friedrich’s estimation, how far away is far enough? Four blocks? Ten blocks? Out of the city? How about as far away as Tennessee? The people in Tennessee do not think that is far enough away.
Doesn’t he know there was an Islamic prayer room in the World Trade Center itself? It, too, was destroyed.
And does he speak, officially, for the families who lost loved ones at Ground Zero?
I do not think Friedrich comes “to the table with an open mind ….”
And what is this officious title “President, Glen Oaks Village”? Is he making this statement as the leader of Glen Oaks Village, for Glen Oaks Village? Or is he a private citizen and a former candidate for whatever he can find time to run for?
Jerry Schreibersdorf
Douglaston
