Obama defends right to build mosques (Extra)

Sep 10, 2010, 18:46 GMT

Washington - US President Barack Obama on Friday stepped into the controversy over plans for a New York City mosque, saying Muslims should be able to build wherever other religious groups can build.

Answering a question about the mosque planned near the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Obama said that the United States stood for equality of all men and women, and of their right to 'practice their religion freely.'

'What that means is that if you could build a church on a site, you could build a synagogue on a site, if you could build a Hindu temple on a site, then you should be able to build a mosque on a site,' Obama said at a press conference.

Obama did not directly mention the New York mosque, but his comments clarified earlier statements he has made about the controversy, which has become a national hot potato in upcoming congressional elections.

Plans to build an Islamic community centre that is to include a mosque have provoked opposition among politicians and family members of victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks as well as threats by an obscure Florida pastor to burn Korans in protest.

The developments have sent waves of demonstrations across the Muslim world and led to the death of at least one protestor in Afghanistan.

The pastor, Terry Jones, has suspended his burning plans, saying he did so because he believed the New York imam, Feisal Abdul Rauf, would meet with him on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

But according to a statement from Rauf read by CNN, he has 'no such meeting planned at this time.

'Our plans for the community centre have not changed. With the solemn day of September 11 upon us, I encourage everyone to use this time for reflection and prayer.'