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Over the past few weeks there has been a big debacle over the proposed idea of building a mosque in the lower Manhattan area of New York City. Lower Manhattan as we all know was the site of the World Trade Center attacks that occurred on September, 11 2001.

Nine years removed from the attacks, the Islamic community wants to construct a mosque near the site of Ground Zero. The majority opinion on this proposal is against the construction of the mosque deeming it insensitive.

A poll conducted by CNN showed that 68% of the people who were asked opposed the construction of the mosque. I believe that one of the reasons there is an overwhelming voice of opposition against it is that the public has been misinformed about the exact details.

One of the biggest misconceptions for the mosque is in the name itself. Being labeled as the "Ground Zero Mosque" is already misleading the public. The proposed site for the mosque would be a full two blocks away from Ground Zero… that's right, two blocks. The name "Ground Zero Mosque" is implying that the building would be built right on Ground Zero when in reality it is not. According to the group spearheading the construction, Ground Zero is not even visible from their current building.

Another reason for resistance to the mosque are the 9/11 attacks and those who committed them. Nine years is not a lot of time and the attacks are still fresh in the minds of the American citizens. While the attacks were headed by the Al-Qaeda, a militant Islamic group, we should not let those extremists put a black mark on the entire religion of Islam.

You can look at any religion or political system and find a set of extremists. The Westboro Baptist Church is just one example of a set of radicals that can stray away from any denomination. We cannot let a few bad apples spoil the bunch and deny Muslims their first amendment rights.

A further inference as to why the public is saying no to the mosque is that they most likely do not know the full plans for the construction. PARK51, as the program is called, is not just going to be a place of worship for the Islamic community of New York City but an unbelievable state-of-the-art recreation center.

PARK51 has proposed a $100 million, 15-story beautiful building that will house much more than just a mosque. Inside the community center will be outstanding recreation spaces and fitness facilities, along with a 500-seat auditorium, a restaurant and culinary school, a library, childcare services, cultural exhibitions, education programs and even a September 11 memorial open to the public. Think of it as a student union with a separate church attached to it.

The mosque included in the PARK51 community center would run separately from the community center but would also be accessible to everyone.

What the Islamic community has proposed with this community center would be a great addition to the Lower Manhattan region and provide an incredible place for the million plus Muslim citizens in New York City.

The negativity and resistance against this community center needs to end. The citizens who are opposing it are denying a freedom that all Americans, even Muslim-Americans, are entitled to and that is freedom of religion.