Ground Zero mosque developer blames media for controversy

The developer who wants to bring a mosque and Islamic center near the World Trade Center said he blames the media for all the controversy
surrounding it. Sharif El-Gamal told NY1 that he believes the project
will combat Islamic extremism. The developer said he will not abandon
his plans and insists he never anticipated the outrage
his plans unleashed. He also dismissed the suggestion he was being
naive in thinking a mosque so close to Ground Zero would not be problematic.
“I understand that there was such a misperception about Muslims and
Islam,” El-Gamal said. “That’s what this brought to my awareness, that
there’s a tremendous misperception about Islam… that we are
terrorists.” Critics, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick
Lazio, are raising questions about funding for the center. Meanwhile,
the local community board has signed off on the project, which now
faces review for landmark status. [NY1]