Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #8 Islam: Two Perspectives: "Find where Islamic religious beliefs intersect with current events. Research a Western news source on the story and summarize the article fr..."

Western point of view: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/New-Yorkers-Sound-off-about-Mosque-Plans-Near-Ground-Zero-98366594.html

In this article from the Western news source, NBC, the writer seems to hold a very negative impression of the Ground Zero mosque and Islamic cultural center. DeMarco Morgan, the author of this article, claims that people all over New York are "boiling mad at the possibility." This is primarily because the citizens of New York are still emotionally stirred from the effects of 9/11. Barbara Sommer from Brooklyn, challenges, "How can we allow something to eradicated that memory--the pain and suffering." Others, plead that they "are still wounded," and their "hearts are bleeding," demanding that the state should have "tolerance for the 9/11 families. Morgan does address, however, that Muslim Americans are still to this day, feeling pressure for the 9/11 attacks, and challenge that the Muslims behind those attacks were from an small, extreme group of radicals. A vote is to be carried out among the members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission later this summer, to settle this despute.

Islamic country's point of view:
http://www.indonesiafirst.com/2010/08/8780/ground-zero-mosque/

On the other hand, in the article from the Islamic country's point of view, there are no cynical statements on the Ground Zero mosque and Islamic cultural center. Most of the article is informative about Ground Zero, and the World Trade Center's significance in terms of this issue. In addition, it also states that President Obama is strongly supportive of the mosque and Islamic community center. He believes that as Americans, who are committed to a society with religious freedom, Muslims should "have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country." Lastly, this article provides details on the funding, and how money will be raised to build the Ground Zero mosque.

Although both articles were written on the same news story, there were noticeably contrasting themes. First, the article from the Western perspective describes the feelings of the New York natives, who were strongly opposed to this development, while the article from the Islamic country perspective only mentions the opinion of President Obama. Next, the overall tone of the Western article is against the Ground Zero mosque, while the Islamic country article is remains fairly indifferent. Lastly, the Western article includes the fact that there was a hearing held to decide the matter, while the Islamic country article does not mention it at all. Despite the fact that both articles are written about the same issue, interestingly, they are different from each other, because they were written from two different perspectives.