Bay County - Controversy over a mosque being built near Ground Zero in New York City has managed to manifest itself into a local controversy after statements made by District 2 congressional candidate Ron McNeil.

McNeil openly opposed the mosque construction at a forum sponsored by Newschannel 7 and Bay Haven Charter Academy last week.

Saturday morning, McNeil elaborated more with Newschannel 7 on his sentiment regarding this issue:

"Do you think you owe anybody an apology,” asked Newschannel 7.

"Well, I don't know what to apologize for," McNeil responded.

The topic of an apology was brought up by local Muslim leader Dr. Hashem Mubarek after hearing McNeil’s responses to questions posed Tuesday at Bay Haven Charter Academy.

On Tuesday McNeil was asked by Arnold High School student, Wesley Bush, “What is your stance on the proposed mosque at Ground Zero in New York City?"

"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," said McNeil.

But it was McNeil’s follow-up response that has generated the most heat.

"When you've got something that calls itself a religion, but 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.

Some of Bay County's Muslim population took McNeil's comments personally.

"He was offensive. He was insulting. He basically said untrue things. It was hate speech and we residents of Bay County should live among each other in peace and harmony. We should not tolerate any harassment, or hate speech, towards any group religious, ethnic, or otherwise,” said Mubarek.

McNeil denied the hate speech accusation Saturday morning.

"There was no hate speech in it. The fact that I don't want a mosque nine stories high to be built there to overshadow Ground Zero, which is just a pit now with not even a monument with our lost 3000 souls there. I don't have any hatred toward the Muslim community. They can build their churches anywhere they'd like, but not there,” said McNeil.

McNeil said he believed the Islamic facility would be used for alternative purposes.

"There's no way that facility will not be used to recruit people into the Muslim religion and recruit people who would be jihadist,” said McNeil.

In contrast, Mubarek said it's more the lack of unity in this country that fosters such terrorism.

"When we have these offensive remarks, the only benefactor here is al Qaeda, the terrorist organization. So, we need to deprive them of this privilege and prove that we can coexist together in a peaceful way,” said Mubarek.

"I was heartened by what Dr. Mubarek said this morning when he definitely separated the Muslim community here in Bay County from these other factions that people have demonized over the years, and rightly so, for their attacks on this nation, because we are both American citizens,” said Bay Haven Charter CEO Tim Kitts after meeting with Dr. Mubarek regarding Tuesday’s controversy.

McNeil said he recognizes that not all Muslims are terrorists and wants people to recognize that he is not a bigot.

"I'm a man that loves the Lord and loves people. And of all people to say I’m some sort of bigot or something would be ridiculous. I'm not. I don't mind where they have their churches. I'd wish they'd all convert to being Christians and accept Jesus Christ as their savior. They're not going to do that more than likely, but I hope they realize I’m a solid, solid guy and I’m very educated,” said McNeil.

McNeil is running as a GOP candidate for the District Two congressional seat which will be voted on in the primaries this Tuesday.

According to national polls, 70 percent of Americans oppose the proposed mosque project.