Imam Behind Islamic Cultural Center Remains Evasive About Park51's Future

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the man behind the proposed Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero, spoke before a crowd for the first time since returning from a two-month trip abroad. He addressed members of the media and the Council on Foreign Relations, but he left plenty of questions unanswered.

The event was held on relatively safe ground, among intellectuals and interfaith leaders, as well as long-time friends. Still, Imam Feisal began his remarks by explaining who he actually is: an immigrant who arrived by ship in New York, in 1965.

"I remember seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time -- that beacon of freedom rising and looming, majestically in the harbor," he said.

Feisal was just 17 years old then, and beginning his new life.

"I got my bachelor's in physics at Columbia University. I married, raised my children here and I had a number of occupations: a high school teacher, a salesman of industrial products and a struggling writer. I'm a typical New Yorker, ladies and gentleman. I am an American," Feisal said. And just to drive home the point, and to get a gentle laugh he added: "I pay taxes, I pledge allegiance to the flag. And I'm a Giants fan. I'm glad they won yesterday."

The imam went on to address the changing relationship between Islam and America over the years, from the days when Muslims arrived as slaves, through the embrace of Islam by African Americans, to the current day, when Muslim immigrants are facing opposition across the nation. He seemed comfortable talking about larger struggles and historic shifts. But when pressed for specifics, he struggled. Like when the moderator of the event, Richard Haas, asked: "What about the question, what's wrong with Islam? Why is it that such a high percentage of today's most dangerous terrorists are Muslim? What has gone wrong?" 

The imam skirted around the issue -- noting the Arab-Israeli crisis and the alienation of Muslim youth -- but didn't quite answer the question. Haas then asked him what moderate Muslims can do to fight extremism. Instead of offering a concrete plan, the imam returned to his favorite sport.

"I mean, football is the perfect analogy. We have to create first downs. Everybody's looking for a hail mary pass. It won't happen in this situation. We have to stay in the game, play in the game," Feisal says.

As for the matter at hand -- the 15-story Islamic cultural center he's proposed running, Imam Feisal said it is crucial to address the escalating tensions felt by Muslims. He said that as someone who's familiar with the West and with Islamic values, he's ideally suited to acting as a bridge between cultures. Imam Feisal and his backers haven't begun fundraising the $100 million needed to start construction. When asked whether he's open to moving the center to another site, he said he is still "considering all options."

Moments later, the chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen, M. Farooq Kathwari, raised the question of simply holding off on any tough decisions: "What about the idea of a so-called timeout, or a freeze?"

"Our advisors have been looking at every option, including that," Feisal said.

The crowd laughed, once again. They still hadn't received an answer.