Less Than Half of American Muslims Support the Ground Zero Mosque (Updated)

I haven’t written about the Ground Zero mosque controversy because I’m still not entirely sure what I think of it. My own thoughts are mixed and range from neutral to negative. I’d like to see it moved, but I’m not as upset about it as some people are.

The results of a recent Gallup poll are interesting, though. It turns out that only 43 percent of American Muslims think the mosque should be built on its current proposed location. Meanwhile, 44 percent think it should be moved or changed to an interfaith center.

This tells us two things. Opposition to the project isn’t based on mere bigotry. And American Muslims are not a monolith.

UPDATE: Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal also thinks the mosque should be built somewhere else. “Those people behind the mosque have to respect, have to appreciate and have to defer to the people of New York,” he said. “The wound is still there. Just because the wound is healing you can’t say, ‘Let’s just go back to where we were pre-9/11.'”