Obama backs Muslim center near Ground Zero

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama said Friday Muslims have the right to build an Islamic center "on private property in lower Manhattan" as a matter of religious freedom.

Speaking at a White House celebration of the beginning of Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, the president said religion has "flourished within our borders precisely because Americans have had the right to worship as they choose -- including the right to believe in no religion at all" because freedom of religion is constitutionally protected.

Obama acknowledged that controversy often accompanies religious exercise, citing debate about plans to construct mosques in several U.S. communities -- particularly in New York, where plans call for an Islamic community center and mosque near the site where al-Qaida extremists crashed jetliners into the Twin Towers Sept. 11, 2001, killing an estimated 3,000 people.

The president said he understands "the emotions that this issue engenders. Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground."

"But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country," he said. "That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances."

The president said al-Qaida is not made up of religious leaders but of "terrorists who murder innocent men, women and children."

"That is who we are fighting against," he said.