Imam Feisal's Cordoba House Update

Samir Selmanovic and Faith House are both mentioned in the letter below

Dear All,

Assalamu Alaykum - Gods Peace and Blessings be with you!

It has been a whirlwind month, one in which we have worked tirelessly to realize an American Dream which so many others share.

Indeed, the outpouring of support exceeded all of our expectations. We have received endorsements from the Community Board, city officials, and interfaith allies such as Reverend Robert Chase of Intersections, Reverend Chloe Breyer of the Interfaith Center of NY, President Katherine Henderson of Auburn Seminary and Joyce Dubansky of the Tanenbaum Center publicly acknowledged our challenges through their full support of the Cordoba House. We are overwhelmed and our hearts are filled with gratitude for all those = who have voiced their support from our neighborhood, our city, our nation, and from other parts of the world.

The vision to build the Cordoba House has also met with some resistance. Perhaps this was inevitable, but we take every concern seriously. In doing so, we learn from our own mistakes along the way and communicate our convictions.

 Cordoba House will be a home for ALL people who are yearning for understanding and healing, collaboration, and interdependence. Indifference is not an option. We are ever more determined to take this opportunity and responsibility to restore and heal our community in Lower Manhattan. We are creating a new space where fresh stories of cooperation, democracy, and service can be lived out.

Prominent politicians and media outlets have been among those vocal in expressing support for the Cordoba House Project. Mayor Bloomberg heralded its advent when he said the following in his weekly radio address: "What is great about America and particularly New York is we welcome everybody" [Read more] The Economist's article, "Hallowed ground: A row over a planned Muslim Community Center" profiles the protests and highlights the Community Board's and Mayor Michael Bloomberg's tremendous support for Cordoba House. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said: "By voting to support this multi-faith community and cultural center, they sent a clear message that our city is one that promotes diversity and tolerance. " [Read more] Read the Press Release of the Community Board Meeting Approval, here.

A diversity of religious leaders are also taking a stand. Joshua Stanton, who is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue, along with Zeeshan Suhail of the World Bank write in the Washington Post: "Global significance aside, just imagine the local impact of Cordoba House: the community centre would provide, in its creators' words, a "cultural nexus" for New Yorkers to come together for education, performances, sports and person-to-person interaction." [Read more]

Julie Clawson wrote a compelling article in Sojourners, which illustrates just one example of the support the project is receiving from Christian Americans. [Read more]. Dr. Samir Selmanovic, author and minister who is a member of the National Council of Churches, stated: Knowing many Muslims through my work in the city and nationally, I am utterly confident Muslim Americans will rise to this moment of history and make the United States an even better country than it is today. [Read more]

The Jewish Forward published an editorial defending Cordoba House: "This is how we respond to bigotry and hatred - by turning instruments of death into the building blocks of community." [Read more]

Here at Cordoba Initiative, we have been flooded with media inquiries. Locally, our story has been covered by Downtown Express, NPR, The Brian Lehrer Show, and The New York Times among many others. Internationally, Imam Feisal, the project's leader and visionary, has appeared on BBC and was interviewed by The Economist. We continue to welcome media engagement as a vital component of our mission. It is an exciting time. Our dedication and hard work - and YOUR support - will pay off. At this vital juncture in our growth, we therefore ask you to make a step and become an integral part of this venture. Here are three ways you can help right now:

1. Our office work is rapidly becoming more demanding in terms of staff, resources, communication, and space. Help us keep the momentum and make a generous donation. [Read More]
2. Ask how you can volunteer at Cordoba Initiative in our various projects and programs such as Cordoba House.
3. Spread the news about Cordoba House and the positive message that Cordoba Initiative embodies. Keep yourself informed through our website at http://www.cordobainitiative.org.

Then tell your family and friends and interconnect via Facebook and the Cordoba Initiative Blog. With gratitude and excitement about the future,

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and The Cordoba Initiative Team

Additionally, we appreciate the support received from the following organizations:

9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrow, The Arab American Family Support Center, Cause New York, Chautauqua Institute, Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, Faith House Manhattan, Friends of the Arava Institute, Interfaith Youth Core, The Interfaith Alliance, Jewish Community Center in Manhattan, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Lutheran Seafarers and International House, New Seminary, One Spirit, St. Bartholomew's Church, Same Difference Interfaith Alliance, The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, The Healing of the Nations Foundation, The Migration Policy Institute, Union Theological Seminary, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, UJA Federation of New York.