DUBAI—The imam behind a plan to build an Islamic community center near Ground Zero in New York said Tuesday the debate over the project has become politicized with upcoming U.S. congressional elections, while praising American ideals and telling a largely Muslim audience he had found his faith in America.
"The story has expanded far beyond a piece of real estate," Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told a lecture hall in Dubai as part of a two-week visit to the Gulf region sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. "The scope of discourse has expanded rapidly in a season that is also politicized—we have midterm elections upon us—therefore we have to be careful," Mr. Abdul Rauf said, avoiding more direct answers to questions on the controversy the project has invoked in the U.S.
Mr. Abdul Rauf said he would address the issue when he returned to the U.S. this week, telling the audience of his larger interfaith Cordoba Initiative: "I can assure that whatever we do will increase harmony and peace and well-being, both within our city, our community, our nation and the world."
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