Those are the words of Muhammad Al-Zekri, an anthropologist from Bharain after recently spending a day in Bahrain with Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the leader of the Park 51 project, unfortunately now known as the Ground Zero Mosque.
As I have just landed back home from my latest jaunt through the Middle East, I have reflected on the Park 51 project and have already formed my personal opinion. I still firmly believe that this is an issue for the good people of New York to resolve.
Quite frankly, in my most recent travels I found few people who cared one way or the other about what most of the people I met regarded as an internal American matter. In fact, many of the people I questioned about the issue were more bemused than anything else.
Despite all the rhetoric about the "message" we are sending to the rest of the world as this issue is hotly debated back here in America, there appears little evidence that this matter has taken on any significant level of world attention or concern.
The International Herald Tribune recently published an article entitled "U.S, Mosque Saga Plays Unevenly Abroad". With the exception of a small number of critics of the American "intolerance" with Islam, the paper's observations were quite similar to mine, and perhaps to some very revealing.
The paper's reporters apparently had similar difficulties trying to elicit any genuine commentary voicing concern over the substance and tone of the American debate. In fact, in France the reporters noted that the more common reaction of prominent Muslims there was rather passive primarily because they are used to far more unpleasant confrontations in Europe.
I have selected a sample of comments made to the paper's reporters so you too can see how others in the world view this latest American spectacle.
China
Qian Liwei, Researcher, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.
"Many people think Obama's stance could hurt many people, especially the feelings of the 9/11 victims' families."
France
Pierre Rousselin, Journalist, Le Figaro."America is discovering that it's constitution and liberal principles don't protect her from the debates that the practice of Islam stirs up in our countries."
Dalil Boubakeur, Head of the Paris Mosque and one of most senior Islamic clerics in France. "There are symbolic places that awaken memories whether you mean to or not. And, it isn't good to awaken memories."
Egypt
Abdel Moety Bayoumi, Senior Cleric, Al Azhar. He described the New York plan as "bad judgment" on the part of American Muslims. He said, "it will create a permanent link between Islam and 9/11. Why should we put ourselves and Islam in a position of blame?"
United Kingdom
Khaled al-Haroub, Researcher, Cambridge University. "We keep increasing our religious demands vis-a-vis the West, while refusing to meet even a few of the demands made by religious minorities living among us.
Lebanon
Mahmoud Haddad, History Professor, University of Balamand. "The Muslim community should take the high moral and political ground. They should show that they are more concerned about the general good will of all Americans. They should agree to move the mosque, even though they have every right to build it near Ground Zero."
Summary
So, once again, I ask that we continue to maintain a respectful debate over this issue. Yes, as always the world is watching. But, I sense they are more focused on how we treat each other rather than where this mosque is built.
Sure, there certainly will be critics abroad who will try to exploit this national debate. But, as I said in my post yesterday, let us be judged by our tolerance and not our hate.