American Ismalaphobia

First - a phobia is defined as an extreme and irrational fear of simple things or societal events. So, I dont think that local opposition to a mosque would be a phobia. Maybe you could call it religious bigotry, but even thats a stretch.

Second - and maybe more importantly, local communities have the right to define what is built, and where it is built inside their community. HOA's define what is allowable inside their neighborhood. Cities decide what to allow through zoning and permits. Look at the recent uproar in Renton over the new strip club.

**No I am not comparing a mosque to a strip club. Dont follow a straw man argument**

The Imam has the right to practice his religion in America. He is guarenteed that right under the First Amendment. I and many others would die to protect that right, even though we find his religion and views abhorrent. But New York (and New York's citizens) have the right to say "we don't want it here". That is not just the Imam's city, it is everyones city. And if the Imam had any true desire to promote understanding and goodwill around his religion, he would respect those wishes, and build it somewhere else.This isn't about freedom of religion, or "islamaphobia", whatever that is. This is about a government ignoring the wishes of the citizens, and deciding on its own to define what the citizens need and want.

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