On New York's new Islamic Center, I stand with Russell Simmons

As you may have heard, an Islamic cultural center is scheduled to be built near Ground Zero in New York.

And, as you may have heard, the Islamophobes are incensed.

Some of my friends and readers have asked me to weigh in on the controversy, knowing that I would support the building of the center.

But, instead of sharing my own words on the subject, I will share these inspiring words from music mogul and Lower Manhattan resident Russell Simmons, via the Huffington Post. Simmons says it all better than I could:

I have no tolerance for a new fear-mongering, hateful rhetoric that has sprung up over the proposed $100 million Islamic cultural center that they plan on building blocks away from Ground Zero.

It is not insensitive to put a cultural center of any sort, that has a place of worship, anywhere in our city. This is what makes our country and our city great. As a nation that was founded by men and women who were being persecuted for their particular faith, we should know that the best path to finding freedom is finding freedom for others. We were formed as a pluralistic society and this means we welcome all religions. Islam did not attack the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, sick and twisted men did, who not only hijacked four airplanes but also hijacked a religion. Let us not stereotype the over one billion Muslims around the world because of the evil acts of a few. A decision like this one, to support or not support the construction of this center, defines who we are as a nation. It's at the essence of our values, our freedom of expression, freedom of religion and religious tolerance.

And that, I believe, says it all.