Mosque near ‘ground zero’ backed by New York community board

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A New York community board voted to support a plan to build a mosque and cultural center near the site of the former World Trade Center.

The vote late Tuesday was 29 to 1 in favor, with 10 abstentions. It came after hours of contentious public comment. Supporters say the mosque will build bridges and foster interfaith communication.

Critics say the proposed Lower Manhattan site is an insult to Sept. 11 victims. Tea Party Express Chairman Mark Williams has called it a monument to the Sept. 11 attackers.

Some Sept. 11 victims’ families say they’re angry the mosque is to be built so close to where their relatives died.

The organizations sponsoring the project say they’re trying to meet a need for prayer space. They also want to provide a venue for mainstream Islam to counter extremism.

-- Associated Press