Obama's stand on mosque draws mixed reaction on LI
Within hours of President Barack Obama's stated support for the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero, three Long Island community members weighed in on his position.
For some, like Antoina Fontana, who lost a son in the aftermath of 9/11, the president's words stung with insensitivity.
"He's not a New Yorker. He hasn't lost a child," she said. "I am very shocked that he felt that he had to speak up about this. I think there is a lack of compassion - all of a sudden, nine years later, it doesn't matter anymore?"
Others supported the president's stance and pointed to the need to respect religious freedoms.
"I think the president is supporting the Constitution," said Ghazi Khankan, a board member of the American Muslim Alliance. "I think those who are opposing the mosque are really ignorant of Islam. We have to do away with this kind of hate."
John Feal, founder and president of the Feal Good Foundation, said:
'A different situation at every airport' FAA data analyzed by Newsday shows the number of bird strikes voluntarily reported by airports in New York City and Long Island has increased by 46% between 2009 and 2023. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.
'A different situation at every airport' FAA data analyzed by Newsday shows the number of bird strikes voluntarily reported by airports in New York City and Long Island has increased by 46% between 2009 and 2023. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.