Feisal Abdul Rauf, the Muslim imam behind the planned Islamic cultural center on the site where a landing gear from one of the planes used in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center plummeted to earth has written an op-ed piece for the New York Times.

In his column, his first detailed attempt to communicate with those who feel his choice of location is insensitive to say the least, he says “Many people wondered why I did not speak out more, and sooner, about this
project. I felt that it would not be right to comment from abroad.” 

That’s understandable, I suppose. But it may have been wiser to put off his tax-funded Middle Eastern peace trip in favor of dealing directly with the controversy — and, perhaps, taking the time to meet with victims’ families and others who raised legitimate sensitivity concerns.

But, be that as it may, he’s not the first religious leader to have a tin ear when it comes to public relations. And he does go on to say some some positive things — and, one inexplicably, troubling thing.

He says “At Cordoba House, we envision shared space for community activities, like a
swimming pool, classrooms and a play space for children. There will be separate
prayer spaces for Muslims, Christians, Jews and men and women of other faiths.
The center will also include a multifaith memorial dedicated to victims of the
Sept. 11 attacks.”

That’s all well and good — and such an interfaith center and victims’ memorial would indeed be a relatively noncontroversial Islamic gift not just to the area but to all Americans. In that case, even the location would likely not be a major issue.

But, while I’m not challenging the imam’s sincerity (though I can’t exactly vouch for it either), I thought the proposed name of Cordoba House had been dropped in favor of the less controversial Park 51. Yet here he is using it again.

He says “Our name, Cordoba, was inspired by the city in Spain where Muslims, Christians
and Jews co-existed in the Middle Ages during a period of great cultural
enrichment created by Muslims. Our initiative is intended to cultivate
understanding among all religions and cultures.”

That may very well be how he (rightly or wrongly) sees it.  But others (rightly or wrongly) see the name as a deliberate thumb-in-the-eye reference to the Muslim invasion and conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe during the 8th Century, a period in which it is alleged that non-Muslims, under sharia law, were treated as distinct second-class citizens (given the choice of converting to Islam, paying a special tax or death).

If the imam truly wants to build bridges, he might want to consider dropping the divisive name.

While Park 51 is rather boring, he might consider something like the Islamic Center for Interfaith Peace, Worship and Understanding? Such a name would make a truly positive statement on behalf of moderate Muslims seeking to send a message of peaceful coexistence with believers of other faith traditions — and, maybe, even change some skeptical American hearts in the process.

Just a thought.