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No community programs at ‘Ground Zero’ mosque a year after the controversy
NY Post ^ | december 9, 2012 | ISABEL VINCENT and MELISSA KLEIN

Posted on 12/09/2012 6:28:07 AM PST by lowbridge

It’s all pray and no play.

The Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero that opened with great fanfare a year ago is now an empty space with no community programs.

And while the developers behind Park51 insisted for two years that the project was more than a mosque, it now appears to be just that. Dozens of worshipers gather at the site on Park Place Friday for prayer services — but that’s the only activity in the building.

Gone are the Arabic classes, workshops in calligraphy, talks on the genealogy of Muslims in America, film screenings and art exhibits. The sole community event is a class in capoeira — an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance and music. The teacher of the twice-weekly class said she has five students. PRAYER BOOKED: Although popular as a place of worship, the controversial Park51’s vaunted role as a cultural center has all but evaporated.

“We are the only cultural program that is still there,” said Luz Emma Canas Jesus, of Capoeira Mucurumim.

The Park51 Twitter feed was last updated in June, and its Web site lists no events. The Web site for the mosque, formally called Prayer Space, lists four services a day, and a handwritten note on the building’s window also advertises a 4 a.m. service.

Park51 organizers repeatedly refused to answer questions about what happened to the programs offered last fall and spring. Sharif El-Gamal, the lead developer behind the project, ducked out the women’s entrance for the prayer space and would not speak to a reporter.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: 911; mosque; newyork
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To: lowbridge

21 posted on 12/09/2012 8:33:08 AM PST by pabianice (washington, dc ..)
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To: lowbridge

So, there is nothing going on at the enemy base on the surface....


22 posted on 12/09/2012 12:08:27 PM PST by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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To: trebb

I concur. Most if not all of these “masjids” are used for terror activities.


23 posted on 12/09/2012 3:29:33 PM PST by Olog-hai
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Comment #24 Removed by Moderator


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