NYC community board head wants interfaith center

NEW YORK (AP) — The chairwoman of the community board that voted for a proposal to put a mosque near ground zero says an interfaith center should be added.

Julie Menin says an interfaith center along with the mosque would help reduce the controversy over the project. She says a space shared by Muslims, Christians and Jews would bring people together.

Opponents of the Islamic center argue it’s insensitive to the families and memories of Sept. 11 victims to build a mosque so close. Supporters cite freedom of religion.

In Menin’s opinion piece in the Daily News of New York, she points out that an interfaith chapel was built at the Pentagon as a way to commemorate the lives lost there on Sept. 11.