Ground Zero Mosque: Right-Wing Delirium That Never Was

Building an Islamic center in Lower Manhattan was always ambitious -- not because the organizers anticipated it would be controversial, but because they wanted it to be a first of its kind. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and his then-wife, Daisy Khan, wanted to call it "Cordoba House," a reference to a period of relative tolerance and pluralism in medieval Spain under Muslim rule. The proposed center would establish a landmark in bustling New York City where Muslims from across the state and the country could participate in everything from art classes to halal bazaars, sports and educational programming. The 15-story center would include a mosque, a swimming pool, a 500-seat performing arts center and child care facilities.