Inside The Mosque At Ground Zero, On Channel 4

'They're on a mission from Allah and they mean to accomplish it…it will be Mecca on the Hudson. But I can tell you right now, it will be a battle, it will be a fight." Pamela Geller

Award-winning director Dan Reed premieres his film "Mosque at Ground Zero" on channel 4 in the UK. His Ground Zero Mosque documentary goes out on Monday at 8 on Channel 4 in UK ("The Ground Zero Mosque") and on Sept 13th on PBS Frontline.

His film explores how this proposed mosque and Islamic community centre at the site of the 9/11 attacks in lower Manhattan:

"has thrown into sharp focus the tensions at the core of American democracy regarding the country's Muslim population. With unique access to the major players in the project and the unfolding events, The Ground Zero Mosque examines the press frenzy surrounding the plans, the vitriolic attacks on its high-profile spiritual leader, Imam Feisal, and the heartrending stories of some of the 9/11 families who oppose the building, as well as revealing the driving force behind the mosque"

Ground Zero Mosque, Channel 4, UK

'They're on a mission from Allah and they mean to accomplish it…it will be Mecca on the Hudson. But I can tell you right now it will be a battle, it will be a fight.' Pamela Geller

Bafta award-winning director Dan Reed (Dispatches: Terror in Mumbai) untangles the hysteria, fury and politics surrounding the ‘Mosque at Ground Zero'. His film explores how this proposed mosque and Islamic community centre, two blocks away from the site of the 9/11 attacks in lower Manhattan, has thrown into sharp focus the tensions at the core of American democracy regarding the country's Muslim population.

With unique access to the major players in the project and the unfolding events, Ground Zero Mosque recounts the press frenzy surrounding the plans, the vitriolic attacks on its high-profile spiritual leader, Imam Feisal, the heartrending stories of some of the 9/11 families who oppose the building and reveals the driving force behind the mosque.

The film follows charismatic property developer Sharif El-Gamal (38) as he gives his account for the first time. Brought up as a church-going Christian named Alexander, El Gamal is the son of a Polish Catholic and an Egyptian Muslim who describes himself as a New Yorker from Brooklyn: "I'm not a community activist, I'm not a community leader…I'm not an Islamic academic. I'm a New Yorker who is a real-estate junkie. That's who I am."

After rediscovering Islam in his 30s, he purchased the Burlington Coat Factory in 2009, a disused building that was struck by the undercarriage of the second plane that hit Tower Two. His plan was twofold – to make money from building condominiums on the site but also to provide a place of worship for the local Muslim population.

But later that year, he invited Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf (63) an established moderate pro-American cleric to lead the mosque. Imam Feisal proposed the entire site be transformed into a community centre that would act to counter extremism and give a platform to moderate Islam. When El-Gamal agreed, little did he know of the outrage he would ignite.

The groundswell against the project has been led by Pamela Geller (53) and Robert Spencer (49), co-founders of the pressure-group ‘Stop the Islamization of America,' who were both cited as inspiration for the Oslo bomber Anders Breivik in his manifesto. They rallied opposition to the mosque, incorporating the voices of some of those who lost loved ones on 9/11 and coined the concept that would become a decisive weapon in the controversy, ‘the victory mosque.'

The opposition to the so-called ‘mega mosque' caught the attention of Fox News which was at the vanguard of the US media storm. The controversy gathered political momentum and even President Obama felt compelled to take sides and endorse the mosque.

With El-Gamal and Imam Feisal caught off guard and vilified in the media, a rift began to emerge between them and El Gamal took on sole responsibility for the plan.

The outcry rippled across into the far corners of America and a pastor of a small church in Florida made headlines around the world when he announced he would incinerate the Koran on 9/11 unless the mosque was moved. With such controversy seen to be damaging Islam in the US, El-Gamal had to contend with a backlash from the American Muslim community.

Reed follows El-Gamal as he battles to garner support and funds for the project he has dubbed ‘Park 51.' Run from a back room in his property, the two staff members are students who feel underprepared to deliver El-Gamal's vision.

Of all his challenges, the most sensitive is the hostility towards the project from some of the 9/11 families. Reed films the highly-fraught and emotional meeting between El-Gamal and Lee Hanson who lost his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter on the second plane.

But not all the families oppose the mosque; Charlie Wolf lost his wife on the plane that hit the first tower. He says: "You can't say that we can't have anybody, any Muslims near Ground Zero – that is a bunch of bull. Because as soon as you say they can't be two blocks, then where can they be? Three blocks, five blocks, ten blocks, half a mile, a mile, sixteen miles?"

Ten years on from the events that shaped a nation; this is the story of a derelict building that has become a lightning rod for America's struggle to reconcile its own psyche.

 The Ground Zero Mosque – Channel 4 

 Ground Zero Mosque – Channel 4 – Info – 5/9/11:Bafta award-winning director Dan Reed (Dispatches …

Ground Zero Mosque, Channel 4 | In-depth | Broadcast www.broadcastnow.co.uk/…/ground-zero-mosque-channel-4/50313…  – CTVC tracks the battle to build the controversial mosque.

Stand against Islamic supremacism. Join us for the AFDI/SIOA 911 Freedom Rally at Ground Zero on September 11th.

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Durandal

12 years ago

Say Pamela I’m curious, since the US seems to be heading more towards Islamisation since all the ingredients and institutions that destroyed Europe are present and empowered, and Muslims feel encouraged by the Obama policies. Would you consider moving from the USA if there was a Islam free state in the world? Or are you the defend to the death every inch of soil kind of person? I mean if the Sharia religious police are marching down the streets of New York would you be out there eating squirrels and shooting the odd turban that comes running past?

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Durotrigan.blogspot.com

12 years ago

It should be interesting. Channel 4 have screened a number of good documentaries on Islamisation in the UK in the past. Some readers may be interested in the footage of frothing Islamo-Marxists in London today. Look at how they oh so politely and gently shove against the police line and rant tedious leftist slogans. Feel tempted to visit now? No? Me neither:
http://durotrigan.blogspot.com/2011/09/video-islamo-marxist-mob-confront.html

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Durandal

12 years ago

To make it more clear if you ask Muslims in the Netherlands 1 million strong where they would consider moving if they had to move , probably it’s 50/50 between the USA or the Islamic country of origin.Europe wide it’s probably the same.
Because the USA blasts this message very clear Muslims are welcome immigrants are welcome and we will empower you look at the victory mosque.

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Daryl

12 years ago

“The groundswell against the project has been led by Pamela Geller (53) and Robert Spencer (49), co-founders of the pressure-group ‘Stop the Islamization of America,’ who were both cited as inspiration for the Oslo bomber Anders Breivik in his manifesto.”
WTF is THAT? I hope this is NOT a friggin’ hit piece!
Don’t let any assholes distract/discourage you from the important work that you do. The silent majority are on your side.

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Angel Lasuma

12 years ago

WE will follow and support Pamela Geller and the patriots who are defending our country to the very end! We need to vote out that endorser in the White House and kick that greedy mayor in New York! We need to pass a bill and make it into law to stop the building of the mosque , stop Muslim immigration and deport the troublemakers. A Muslim is a beast at heart and can never be a member of a civilized society!

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Durandal

12 years ago

The worst part of it these “immigrants” will be called Dutch,French,British,German,Spanish but they are Muslims!
They aren’t Dutch at all.Same with the rest of the Islamic European migrations that will happen.
You won’t become a stronger nation you will suffer as any European nation has.You have 2.6 million Muslims now and you have had more Jihad attacks then any other country with a Muslim minority. That is because they feel empowered and bold.What Muslim has blown up a train carrying French people? They have 6 million Muslims on a population of 65 million and have banned headscarves in school and banned the burqa. You have people going to shoot up ft.Hood with 3oo million people to 2.6 million Muslims and planting bombs in times square.That shows you just how horrible the US is dealing with jihadist terror.

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sean

12 years ago

When the Muslims get kicked out of Continental Europe they’ll end up in Britain in HUGE numbers: http://crombouke.blogspot.com/2010/01/rapid-islamisation-of-britain-nightmare.html

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Nick

12 years ago

We stand with Pamela FUCK THEM see you all next Sunday

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Nick

12 years ago

We will stand together in America.Make no mistake She will not be alone.

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Choi

12 years ago

It seems to be HIT PIECE on Pamela & Robert and an INFOMERCIAL for the Mosque and Gamal.
If PBS is running it, PBS itself or local PBS stations must be asked to have a “WRAP-AROUND” where Pamela & Robert are invited to speak TRUTH re: the film and the SMEARS on them.
TAXPAYER FUNDED PBS must MEET it’s OBLIGATION NOT TO BE A (LEFT-WING) PROPAGANDIST.

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Warren

12 years ago

They should build their mosque right next to one of the new world trade towers. That way we can stand on the roof of the tower and uninate down on their damnd mosque.

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Safti

12 years ago

for Durandal: Pamela will fight with all her might for freedom in the USA.
Have no doubt about it.

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sean

12 years ago

We need to vote out that endorser in the White House and kick that greedy mayor in New York!
It is fatal for America to underestimate the power, wealth and influence of the Organisation of Islamic Conquest, and the extent to which its agents have subverted, bribed and blackmailed their way into positions of influence throughout the West and probably also Russia: http://crombouke.blogspot.com/2011/03/organization-of-islamic-conference-oic.html

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ivan the yid from bradford

12 years ago

Pamela
I am letting as many of my mailing list as possible know about this TV programme

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Truthiocity

12 years ago

“and even President Obama felt compelled to take sides and endorse the mosque.”
Yeah, for about 24 hours. Then he backtracked. Nice unbiased reporting.
Interesting that there is absolutely no byline or writing credit. Was this a press release from the director of the film?

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fern

12 years ago

Thanks for the info Pam. Have shared.

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Laura L.

12 years ago

I can already see from the article how biased this program will be.

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Markus

12 years ago

This was a subtle hit piece on Pam, Robert and (OF COURSE!) Fox News.
But it wasn’t as bad as it *could* have been. They did present Miss. Geller and Robert as sinister and unhinged, and Fox News as making up everything. But the documentary could have told a lot more lies and misrepresentations than it did, so I guess that’s something.

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Tom Billesley

12 years ago

I’ve just watched the UK broadcast of the Channel 4 documentary The Ground Zero Mosque. Far too sympathetic to the Mosqueteers, but at least they got the title right. It was immediately followed by another documemtary entitled 9/11: Emergency Room. This dispelled the myth that people in the vicinity of Ground Zero either died or escaped unscathed, and explained how medical workers strove to deal with the flood of casualties. Featured were NYU Downtown Community Hospital and the impromptu triage centres in the Manhattan streets around Ground Zero and on the Jersey Pier, with interviews of some great Americans.
For portraits of some other great American heroes of the 9/11 aftermath, none of whom would ever be welcomed in a mosque, see the article in today’s Daily Mail

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