Local Leaders Weigh In on Ground Zero Mosque

While the pending construction of an Islamic mosque two blocks from Ground Zero in lower Manhattan has sparked a national political firestorm, some local officials have already chosen sides.

New York State Senator Dean Skelos (R - Rockville Centre) made his position very clear.

"I can't think of anything more insensitive to New Yorkers and their families than construction of a mosque in the shadows of the World Trade Center," Skelos said. "I oppose this move and and intend to do everything possible to highlight this position."

For Habeeb Ahmed, a spokesman for the Islamic Center of Long Island in Woodbury, vehement opposition to the Mosque's construction is understandable, but he said it's misguided.

"I absolutely feel for people who lost loved ones on 9/11," he said. "But I think Mayor Bloomberg's stance, and the stance of President Obama, is the correct one. This is about protection of the First Amendment. It's unfortunate that certain lawmakers are trying to turn it into a political issue, when it really is not one."

For families in Rockville Centre who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11 attacks, the ability to separate legality and emotion may not be possible. Skelos said he is determined to speak for those families whose losses have personally touched him.

"I attended dozens of funerals for men and women... who were murdered by those terrorists," Skelos said.  "I hugged, held and prayed with grieving spouses who didn't know how they would ever manage to go on with their lives. We owe each and every one of them a strong response to this injustice."

Legislator Joseph Scannell, whose district covers Rockville Centre, could not be reached for comment.

Last Friday, President Barack Obama came out in support of the mosque's construction, saying that religious freedom is a core American right.

Congressman Peter King (R- Seaford), an outspoken critic of the Obama administration and the construction of the mosque, said he thought Obama was waffling.

"If the president was going to get into this, he should have been much more clear, much more precise," King said on CNN's 'State of the Union.' "You can't be changing your position from day to day on an issue which does go to our Constitution, and it also goes to extreme sensitivity."