Controversy Surrounds Local Muslim Cultural Center

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Updated: 6:34 PM Mar 10, 2011 Controversy Surrounds Local Muslim Cultural Center Plans are progressing for a new Muslim cultural center in Charlottesville. Opponents say radical groups are behind the plans, however supporters say it's a house of worship and nothing more. Posted: 6:26 PM Mar 10, 2011 Reporter: Chris Stover Email Address: chris.stover@newsplex.com

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March 10, 2011

The shell of the new Charlottesville Masjid, a Muslim cultural center being built on Pine Street, is complete. Opponents say radical groups are behind the plans, however supporters say it's nothing more than a house of worship.

The three-floor building is the project of Islamic Society of Central Virginia (ISCV) and will feature a prayer area, multi-purpose room and classrooms for Islamic education. As construction inside continues, concern brews outside the bricks.

“We are so focused on kinetic activity of violence that we lost focus that the enemy's self-stated focus of main effort is a pre-violent information warfare,” said Michael Del Rosso, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy.

Del Rosso's concern stems from the deed of the properties; both the new building on Pine Street and the current headquarters are in the name of NAIT, the North American Islamic Trust. According to Wikipedia, NAIT is a Saudi-backed organization based in Plainfield, Indiana, that owns Islamic properties and promotes Islamic endowments in North America. NAIT and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a Muslim umbrella group also in Plainfield, are both affiliates of the local Islamic society.

“They're both unindicted co-conspirators in the largest terrorism financing case in United States history,” Del Rosso explained.

In 2007, both NAIT and ISNA we named co-conspirators in the Holy Land Foundation terrorist trial. Federal prosecutors allege the groups conspired to help fund Hamas and other Islamic terror organizations. Prosecutors also argued NAIT is or was a member of the United States Muslim Brotherhood.

Because of this affiliation Del Rosso and other opponents say the cultural center does not belong in Charlottesville. Members of the ISCV, however, have defended their local organization, saying:

”We look at it in both amazement and disappointment that some of our fellow faith followers see those actions as right.”

“If you want to believe in Allah or Muhammad, I don't care. Americans don't care,” Del Rosso responded. “But if you want to commit kinetic activity that's a violent violation of U.S. law, we should all have a problem with that.”

The Islamic Society of Central Virginia told CBS19, “We do not agree with that. We do not practice that,” in response to Del Rosso's comment. Officials say the goal of the center is simply to give local Muslims a place to gather and pray and to advance the teachings of Islam in the Charlottesville community.

The ISCV is still fundraising for the Masjid. They expect construction on the interior of the building to be completed by May.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Greg Location: Alb Cty on Mar 11, 2011 at 05:56 PM

"Charlottesville: Feel the Love"

Posted by: Keswick Location: Albemarle on Mar 11, 2011 at 11:37 AM

Who was it who said that if you lock up every Muslim in America, we'd still have Gabrille Giffords, Virginia Tech, Columbine, Oklahoma City....? Apparently a lot of homegrown, 20something Caucasian men are responsible for "kinetic activity."

Posted by: Ugh on Mar 11, 2011 at 07:54 AM

Perhaps you do look at it with amazement and dissapointment, but I don't see the Muslim community or associations leading any kind of charge or fight against the radical jihadists that definitely attacking us. That's why people are upset...when something bad happens, they simply issue a press release saying "this doesn't reflect on all of us." You show me you are fighting the fight WITH US and I'll show you an America that embraces your right to express and promote your religious beleifs.

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