Imam: Mosque row has stoked anti-Muslim feelings

The imam leading an effort to build a mosque and Islamic centre near the World Trade Centre site in New York city said the raging debate on whether it should be moved has stoked anti-Muslim feelings.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said in a television interview broadcast today that the controversy over the mosque site has heightened concerns among Muslims of rising Islamophobia, and fear of Islam is possibly greater than it was immediately after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Mr Rauf spoke on ABC News’ This Week with Christiane Amanpour.

He also said that the project made the front page of papers when it was approved last December and was not questioned, and that it has since come under criticism for political reasons.

The interview aired one day after the anniversary of the attacks.