Obama under fire for Ground Zero mosque remarks

Negative reactions to President Obama's remarks about the proposed mosque near Ground Zero are coming from all sides, including members of his own political party.

Opponents of the proposed $100 million Muslim cultural centre are upset that the president voiced support for the plan at a White House iftar - evening meal to break fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan - last Friday without seriously addressing the concern of those against the project, mainly sensitivity to the families of the 9/11 attacks.

Some critics contrasted the president's backing of the Islamic centre with his lack of support for Christians.

Religious Freedom Coalition Chairman William Murray criticised the president for "ignoring" the need of St Nicholas, the only church destroyed during the 9/11 attacks, which has yet to be rebuilt.

Meanwhile, provocative commentator Bill Keller of LivePrayer.com chastised the president for not holding a White House event for the National Day of Prayer but holding an iftar. He also held President Obama responsible for the US government-funded Middle East trip of Imam Feisal Rauf, the man behind the proposed Muslim cultural center. Ralf will be going to the Mideast to build bridges between the United States and Arab countries.

Likewise, supporters of the Islamic centre were unhappy that Obama seemed to tone down his support on Saturday when he told a CNN reporter that he was "not commenting on the wisdom" of the plan, but was rather addressing in his statement the overarching value that the government should treat "everyone equal, regardless" of religion.

Michael Gerson, who served as chief speechwriter for former President George W Bush, commented that Obama "managed to collect all the political damage for taking an unpopular stand without gaining credit for political courage", in an op-ed for The Washington Post on Monday.

Muslim Americans are building a community centre and mosque two blocks from Ground Zero, where nearly 3,000 people died in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Organisers insist that the project, called Park51, is part of an effort to promote tolerance and improve Muslim-West relations.

Obama on Friday stated in front of members of Congress, religious leaders, activists, and government officials at a White House dinner that he supported the Muslim house of worship. It was the first time that the president made a comment on the emotionally-charged debate.

"Let me be clear. As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country," he said. "And that includes the right to build a place of worship and a community centre on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."