Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Giuliani: Anti-Mosque Fury a Sign of Strength
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 9, 2010
Modified Sep 9, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 9, 2010
Modified Sep 9, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
For all those who might have forgotten Rudolph Giuliani was mayor on September 11th, 2001, the everlasting King of 9/11 Town has published an Op-Ed in the Daily News today, reminding everyone that you don't get to build a mosque near Ground Zero without his approval. Giuliani frames the outrage over the proposed Islamic community center as a matter of "sensitivity," and writes, "I cannot help but feel that the painful debate we're having today is not a sign of weakness or intolerance. It is a sign of resilience and strength."
But in his editorial Giuliani also calls called for tolerance... for mosque opponents. "The vast majority with legitimate concerns—including me—should not be automatically lumped in with the small minority who hmosqueave [sic] expressed more strident opinions about the mosque and about Islam in general. They have as legitimate a right to oppose the mosque as others have to support it."
Thank heavens somebody has the guts to stand up for the poor, misunderstood anti-mosque crowd. If you'd like to show them your support, they'll be gathering at Park Place on Saturday, as close to the site of the proposed mosque as the police will let them. (According to the News, no "sound permits" have been issued for the block the mosque is on, and police may close the block entirely.)
Tagged
giuliani
ground zero mosque
mosque
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman spar over immigration, cost of living in debate
The Democratic incumbent repeatedly invoked President Donald Trump. The Republican challenger largely avoided bringing up New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
By
Jon Campbell
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:05 p.m. ET
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Manhattan neurologist charged with sexually abusing 2 patients, DA says
Prosecutors say Dr. Tariq Lamki abused two patients during appointments at a medical practice near Stuyvesant Town.
By
Giulia Heyward
Years of bus headaches start Thursday as Port Authority advances Midtown terminal work
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
and
Carol Chen
ICE admits to using Roxbury, NJ warehouse site to process immigrants
By
Mike Hayes
Dolan's offer: Donations to Blakeman for Knicks tickets
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .