Six in 10 New Yorkers opposed mosque near Ground Zero - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Six out of 10 New Yorkers are reported to be opposed to plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero. According to a Siena Research Institute poll released yesterday, opponents contend that the 100 million dollar project is a monument to 9/11 terrorists. Supporters, however, counter it by saying that it will foster a better understanding of Islam. The project cleared a major hurdle Tuesday when the city Landmarks Commission voted against landmarking an old Burlington Coat Factory building now on the site, giving developers the go-ahead to demolish it. The New York Daily News quoted Don Levy, director of the Siena Research Institute, as saying that the majority of the 622 survey participants - including some of those who don't think the mosque should be built saw merit in the project. "Over half of all New Yorkers and N.Y.C. residents either agree that the project would promote tolerance or are, at least, willing to listen," Levy said.