By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The World Trade Center site is turning into a mosque magnet.
Just two weeks after the Cordoba Initiative sparked controversy with their plans for a 13-story mosque and cultural center near ground zero, FOX News reported Monday that a second mosque wants to build nearby as well.
The second mosque, Masjid Manhattan, has raised $8.5 million for the project and needs only another $2.5 million to begin construction, FOX reported. The group may be considering 23 Park Place, just down the street from the Cordoba House at 45 Park Place.
“Build the ‘House of Allah’ next to the World Trade Center!” Masjid Manhattan’s website proclaims. “Help us raise the flag of ‘LA ILLAHA ILLA ALLAH’ in downtown Manhattan!”
Masjid Manhattan offers services and classes nearly every day of the week in temporary space at 20 Warren St., including programs to convert non-Muslims, according to the website.
The mosque did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Unlike Masjid Manhattan, the Cordoba Initiative has not yet begun raising money for its new S100 million mosque and recently had only $1.2 million in the bank.
Both the Cordoba Initiative and Masjid Manhattan have a long history of serving lower Manhattan’s Muslim community, and both are already located just a short walk from Ground Zero.
But the Cordoba Initiative’s expansion plans set off an online firestorm two weeks ago, and a Facebook group opposing the mosque has since ballooned to more than 45,000 members.
Some of the opponents are planning a rally for June 6 and others plan to attend Community Board 1’s next meeting May 25 to protest, although the Cordoba House already has the approvals it needs to go forward. It is not clear whether Masjid Manhattan will need approvals for their expansion.
