Although hundreds of miles separate Gainesville from the site of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero, the issue resonates deeply for many Gainesville residents.
Local religious representatives are weighing in on the mosque, which has sparked much debate nationally as to whether an Islamic place of worship should be built near the site of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Ismail ibn Ali, the president of Islam on Campus, believes that having a mosque near Ground Zero is a good idea.
After hearing about the proposed mosque, Ali said that he never thought the location would cause such a controversy.
"I see it as another building close by," he said.
Members of other religious faiths, such as Kristi Colson, the president of the Christian Student Association, believes Americans, no matter what their religious preferences, should be able to practice freely.
For Colson, the Sept. 11 attacks are not a reflection of the Muslim faith as a whole.
"The Sept. 11 acts were done out of religious zeal, but I trust that not all of them are like this," Colson said.
Others, such as Keith Dvorchik, the executive director of Hillel, had a hard time forming an opinion regarding the issue.
Initially, Dvorchik felt conflicting opinions when hearing about the anticipated mosque and Islamic center. He said the terrorist attacks still strike powerful emotions with the public and placing a mosque near this site is very controversial.
He admitted to feeling a little skeptical at first about the prospect of having a mosque so close to Ground Zero given the political implications.
However, after doing some personal research, he said the public needs to remember that not all Muslims are terrorists.
"They have every right to [build] it there," he said.
One of the things that made him come around was that he believed the mosque would focus more on the community aspect and would have a positive impact.
Dvorchik believes that the ability to practice one's religion without fear of repercussion is something that, no matter what one's faith, should be respected.
"The beauty of America is that they have the right to do it there," Dvorchik said.
