A simple change of prepositions can entirely alter the meaning of a sentence. I'm sure if the various news outlets had worded the recent national controversy as "The Mosque at 51 Park Place," not many people would have read the story. Some may have even have thought that "Monopoly" had begun using religious buildings instead of houses and hotels.

Regardless of the stories' titles, the questions still remain: Can a mosque be built near Ground Zero? The First Amendment screams an unequivocal, "Yes." Should a mosque be built near Ground Zero? In my opinion, no.

One of America's founding principles is the idea that citizens of the United States can worship whatever higher power they believe in, without fear of persecution by the government or by other citizens. For this reason, it is disconcerting to see today's politicians so strongly against the construction of the mosque. Politicians worry me when they begin to speak purely with emotion and not with any form of rationale because I wonder what would happen if politicians started discriminating against my religion. I also worry when politicians conduct themselves according to political strategy rather than standing firm behind the articles of our foundation which have worked for over 230 years. The First Amendment has not been appealed, and therefore those who chose to construct a mosque in New York City have the right to do so.

But, should a mosque be built near Ground Zero? In light of the recent controversy, I think the mosque should be placed somewhere else.

The seed has been planted in many individuals' minds that the mosque is at Ground Zero. Some will choose to ignore the fact that the mosque is within proximity, but not physically on the hallowed grounds of the World Trade Center, leading to further controversy. I believe if the mosque is built protesters will reside outside the community center hindering the peacefulness of prayer and learning. Furthermore, there is a mosque, the Masjid Manhattan and the Assafa Islamic Center, within blocks of the current proposed mosque.

I believe that people are too set in their ways to allow the mosque to be built in the proposed location near ground zero, and therefore I no longer think it wise to build there.

Next time, I'd like to see religious tolerance so that the equal men and women such as you and me, who chose to worship at a certain location, may do freely according to their constitutional rights.