By Diana's blog | August 26, 2010 at 11:44 PM EDT | No Comments
In addition to all of my other accomplishments, we can now add diplomat. I have figured out how to solve the ground zero Mosque issue. First, let me tell you that I worked at the World Trade Center for seven years, so this is a very sensitive subject for me. Also, I am Jewish, so the whole Islamic thing is kinda scary for me.
At first I struggled with both sides of the issue. To be honest, I had to first get over some issues with the Mosque. First, Islam doesn't seem to be very nice to the ladies. Not to be close-minded but the whole "honor killing" thing doesn't sit well with me. And while we are on the subject of killing.... while many religions advocate killing for their cause, in today's world, it's only the fanatic faction of Islam that has suicide bombers killing other people, fellow muslims and anyone for any reason.
Finally, Muslims have a major PR problem. There is no Ghandi or Martin Luther King to be the voice of peace and non-violence. There is no positive singular leader that the West can relate to. People are looking for a positive icon, but there is a huge vacuum there. In fact, even when there is a cartoon that Muslims don't like, the response is violence and rioting. But that is an unfair depiction of all Muslims. Therein lies the Public Relations problem. What they really need is a good face - a Muslim Oprah- Everyone seems to agree that Oprah is the face of reason.
Anyway, back to my diplomatic brilliance. They should turn the Ground Zero Mosque into a multi-cultural central with a mosque, synagogue, church and meditation room all in the same center. It should also have a theater, Kosher/Hallal cafe, gym and community gathering room. This would truly be promoting peace and understanding between people of all faiths. Further, the vaguely identified funding from the Imam should pay for it as a gesture that they truly mean business when they say peace and healing is what they want.
I hope this doesn't result in a Fatwah on my head. I am not mocking anything about Islam or advocating any form of discrimination or violence. Rather, I am seeking understanding of how we can come to terms with something that is hard for most Americans to digest. Maybe some Baklavah would help.