Banning mosque at ground zero an infringement on First Amendment

Considering all the controversy over the so-called "Ground Zero mosque," it seems some U.S. citizens could use a refresher course on Constitutional rights. According to the First Amendment, citizens have the right to freedom of speech, press, petition, assembly and yes, the freedom of religion. To forbid the construction of the Islamic cultural center, for any reason, would thus be unconstitutional and certainly un-American.

According to Park51.org, the Islamic cultural center, named Park51, will be located two blocks from where the Twin Towers stood. The center will include a basketball court, culinary school and a mosque, among other recreation and educational facilities open to the public. The center even intends to have a 9/11 memorial space, because yes, many innocent American Muslims lost their lives that day, too.

Still today, American Muslims serve in the U.S. military fighting and giving their lives for the freedoms that make the U.S. the "land of the free." What does opposing the construction of a mosque say to these soldiers? What does this say to any of the troops fighting for our nation? Are we, here in America, fighting against what they're fighting for overseas?

Opponents believe the location only desecrates the area where so many Americans were killed, but on the contrary, this specific location symbolizes the ideals for which America itself stands. We are a diverse nation, tolerant of every faith. Or at least, that's what I have always thought.

Using this location can be an opportunity to show the public that not all Muslims are radical terrorists; instead, that moderate Muslims are unwilling to let the small group of extremists represent their entire religion. In fact, an existing mosque has been in use for years, without problems or any cause for alarm only four blocks from ground zero. This particular mosque, however, regularly turns people away because of a lack of space. Park51 has already been used for prayer for the overflow of people. The construction of the Islamic cultural center will not only help revitalize the area, but also provide community bonds.

The construction of the center doesn't symbolize a triumph or concession to al-Qaida or the Taliban, quite the opposite actually. A Newsweek article stated that the Taliban actually benefit from the opposition of the mosque. The intolerance only helps fuel rage against America and strengthen their recruiting numbers.

"By preventing this mosque from being built, America is doing us a big favor," Taliban operative Zabihullah told Newsweek. "It's providing us with more recruits, donations, and popular support."

Isn't this exactly what the U.S. doesn't want?

The First Amendment gives the center's opponents every right to voice their opinions, but ironically, this same amendment gives American Muslims every right to worship what and where they choose. And in this case, two blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood.

And yes, if the "Ground Zero mosque" were in fact at ground zero and purely a mosque, it would be more controversial. Yet, two blocks away and unidentifiable from the view where the towers stood, it seems supporting the center's construction to be the American thing to do.

The First Amendment provides basic freedoms for each and every American citizen. To forbid the construction of a religious center, like Park51, is without a doubt unconstitutional. America is supposed to be a free and tolerant nation, so why are some Americans so willing to dismiss a religious freedom? If it's OK to take away American Muslims' religious freedoms, what will come next?