Bay County - The controversy over Tuesday's candidate forum, sponsored by the Bay Haven Charter Academies and Newschannel 7 is continuing to generate controversy.

The issue centers around GOP congressional candidate Ron McNeil's comments against plans to build a mosque a few blocks from Ground Zero in New York City.

The local Muslim community wants an apology.

Bay Haven's CEO Tim Kitts and local Muslim leader Dr. Hashem Mubarak met Friday morning to discuss the issue.

They sat down again this afternoon for our cameras to talk about this controversy that began with a seemingly innocent question from a high school student to congressional candidate Ron McNeil.

Students from all of Bay County’s high schools prepared and asked questions of the candidates.
McNeil was asked his feelings about plans to build a mosque and Islamic center just a few blocks from Ground Zero in Manhattan.

“I'm totally against it. If I had my way it'd be pretty much over my dead body to build a mosque there. The Muslims will have that place to gloat about for years if they get their way and it was the Muslim religion that caused the problems we had on 9-11. It was extremist. It probably didn't represent their exact religion but the very fact they want to build something right there in the shadows of ground zero is ridiculous,” McNeil responded.

Two rounds later, another student challenged McNeil on his answer.

"What gives you the right, or the federal government the right, to tell Americans that they cannot build an institution or building in a certain place?” the student asked.

"That religion is against everything American stands for. The freedom and liberty and if you girls who are out here were Muslims today you don't have the rights that you have as American citizens and Christians and you've got a separate religion it's plan is to destroy our way of life and our lives then you've got to think differently about it. If we have to, by law, let them build that thing there, make them build it nine stories underground,” said McNeil.

Newschannel 7 spoke to Dr. Mubarek about the controversy Wednesday. He said he was upset, and wanted McNeil to apologize for characterizing all Muslims as terrorists.

He also contacted Dr. Kitts, hoping to establish some type of dialogue or educational seminar between Bay Haven students and the Muslim community.

They both spoke about the entire issue together Friday afternoon

"First of all, the issue about building the mosque close to Ground Zero is controversial. I understand that and I respect the other opinion but Mr. McNeil went beyond that. He was offensive. He was insulting. He basically said untrue things. It was hate speech and residents of Bay County should live among each other in peace and harmony. We should not tolerate any harassment or any hate speech toward any group, religious, ethnic, or otherwise,” said Mubarek

"There is a separation and there's no support from the Muslim community here for these actions that we've seen around the world. That support isn't there. We are American citizens and the unity of that is critical for us to understand each other and appreciate each other and not have this type of negative interaction going on,” said Kitts.

McNeil is standing behind what he said at the forum.

In a written statement issued August 19, Mcneil wrote:

“My reason to strongly oppose the construction is that it does not ‘establish justice and domestic tranquility’ as called for in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. That should be the guiding principle of any legislation in America. The building of this mosque will bring further division; it will unnecessarily bring further pain to those who have suffered so much from terrorists’ acts on 9-11; and it could endanger lives.”

He then added:

“Some found it disrespectful to Islam that I said that if they be allowed to build it on that spot, then they should build it nine stories underground, not nine stories high. That is because our Twin Towers, which soared over the New York skyline, now are blasted many stories underground. Now the world can walk on where these commercial towers, virtually the symbol of American capitalism, proudly had stood. To build a mosque within two blocks of that ground made sacred by the blood of thousands would be a trophy for terrorism – and certainly would be used as a victory over America and as a recruiting tool by radical Islamists all over the world.”