New Yorkers conflicted over mosque, poll finds

September 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

NEW YORK

A new poll finds New Yorkers are conflicted about the construction of a mosque near the World Trade Center site, with half of respondents opposed to the project and a majority saying people have the right to build an Islamic center near ground zero.

The New York Times survey released Friday found 50 percent of respondents opposed to the project, 35 percent in favor and 15 percent undecided.

In a separate question, 62 percent said people have the right to build an Islamic center and mosque near ground zero, while 28 percent said they don’t.

The project is planned for a site two blocks from ground zero.

Opponents have said it is too close to the place where Islamic extremists killed more than 2,700 people in 2001, but supporters say it is a matter of religious freedom and argue the center could bridge interfaith understanding.

Muslims have been worshipping at the building since last year.

Their presence only recently drew attention after developers moved forward with plans for a new center that will include a swimming pool, gym, restaurant and culinary school.

A spokesman for the project, known as Park51, did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the poll.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been among the most outspoken supporters, fervently defending the plan and harshly criticizing calls for the developers to retreat.

The poll indicated New Yorkers have not been overwhelmingly won over by Bloomberg’s arguments; 26 percent approved of how he had handled the issue, 26 percent disapproved, and 44 percent said they did not know enough to give an opinion.

The Times polled 892 adult New Yorkers from Aug. 27 through Tuesday.

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday had similarly mixed results.

It polled 1,497 registered voters throughout New York state; 54 percent said Muslims have the right to build a mosque near ground zero, but in a separate question, 53 percent said they shouldn’t be allowed to do so because of the sensitivities of victims’ relatives. It had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage point.