NYC MOSQUE

I tried my hardest to stay out of this slanted and highly controversial debate over the Mosque two (2) blocks from Ground Zero in NYC.  First of all, I have to object to the repeated media term Mosque at Ground Zero just to clarify this Masjid will not be built at Ground Zero and nothing can be built on this hallowed ground.  Having said that I have mixed emotions about this so called "debate" I sincerely believe that the far right in America is trying to use this Masjid to attack Islam in general.  I believe that many Islamic groups are exploiting this masjid to push the idea of Islamic acceptance as a pre-requisite to life in America.  Let me be clear you do not have to accept Islam but you cannot prevent Muslims from living in America and from building places of worship.  I believe that many of the anti-Masjid groups actually want to ban Islam in general and that to those extreme groups this is the first shot in a war to banish the "evil" "ignorant" muslims from America. 
I should point out that I am a Muslim so my view of this is somewhat tainted but I still feel objective and I am very sensitive to the pain and anguish a masjid so close to the site of the 9/11 attacks could be to the families of the victims who died that day.  Islam is not to blame for 9/11 terrorists posing as Muslims were the cause of the 9/11 tragedy and that should not be lost in the haze of this clouded and venomous debate.  My fear is that if Muslims can be told when and where to build their Masjids then this is the first step in the greater push by some groups in the U.S. to control and attack Islam and Muslims and prevent us from practicing our religion.  My solution to this impasse is simple the Muslims should simply take the moral high ground and say we believe our Masjid is not offensive but to show our solidarity with the victims of 9/11 and to not alienate America we will move our Masjid a few blocks away.
The problem with this debate is that both sides have a vested interest in sticking to their point and not backing down until victory.  Some islamic groups are more interested in being confrontational and forcing "acceptance" and "tolerance" that they end up fostering more hard feelings than good will.  To these hyper partisan groups the ends justify the means and the real people who suffer are the moderate Muslims who simply want to live in peace with non-Muslim neighbors.  The majority of American Muslims want no part of controversial projects that draw negative attention to Islam but time and time again certain Islamic groups draw the ire of the American public and we moderate Muslims suffer.  Moderate Muslims fear that the attack on the Masjid in NYC represents an attack on their religion and the religion of their ancestors; however, this does not mean that cooler heads cannot prevail.
The other side of this argument is the groups that seem to oppose all things Islam and these groups are pushing the public debate on the NYC mosque and are purposely distributing misleading information both about the Masjid and about Islam in general.  Make no mistake these people despise Islam and anything they say about Islam is poisoned by their hatred for the teachings of the Qu'ran.  I believe that the majority of Americans are misinformed about Islam or under-educated and their opinions are shaped by this vocal minority of Islamophobes.  However, Islamophobia is protected by the 1st Amendment and the right to build the Masjid near the site of the 9/11 attacks is also protected by the 1st Amendment.
Bottom line:  Muslims should take the moral high ground move the Masjid and show America that Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace and is consistent with life in America.  If we take the moral high ground we can then dispel many of the lies told by the Islamophobic hordes who live to tarnish the glory of the Holy Qu'ran.
Last comment POTUS Obama should have stayed out the Masjid debate because his opinion is not a manner of public importance and is merely a private opinion.  The Government cannot interefere with the Constitutional Rights of American Citizens and this is a First Amendment issue so Mr. President I appreciate your candid and forthright answer but it was not necessary or appropriate given your position as POTUS.  Finally I find it utterly pathetic that the GOP wants to exploit Obama's remarks on the Masjid to gain political clout in 2010 and 2012.  I realize that politics is about winning but this further reinforces the concerns of many Muslims that the GOP is not a party that respects or cares about Muslims.  This is a mistake because Muslims are a fast growing voting minority in this Country and deserve to be treated with respect and not used  as political props to gain votes in mid-term elections.