Nightly News   |  September 12, 2010

9/11 comes and goes but Islam debate remains

While there was worry that the day would be marred by bubbling controversies over Islam, the question now is where does the debate go next? NBC’s Mike Taibbi reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> service.

>>> on this day after the anniversary of the september 11th attacks , yet more division and debate today over whether to build a mosque and islamic center near ground zero . nbc's mike taibbi has more tonight.

>> on the ninth anniversary, there were the familiar touchstones of remembrance.

>> please join us and all new yorkers in a moment of silence.

>> the pause of the moments when the plane struck and the towers fell. the pealing of the bells, the reading of those names lost. the vice president was at ground zero . the first lady in shanksville, pennsylvania and president obama at the pentagon, repeating what his predecessor first said right at the attacks.

>> we are not and never will be at war with islam .

>> later, though, there were competing demonstrations. thousands protesting the proposed islamic cultural center and mosque two blocks from ground zero , and others supporting the center and decrying anti-muslim bigotry. but the mosque opponents include 9/11 first responders. like this man who had a measured message for the center's planner, imam feisal.

>> i'll give him the benefit of the doubt . but however now there can't be any question in his mind, the amount of hurt and trauma he's causing family members.

>> in fact as the opposition has grown broader, angrier and seemingly entrenched, more and more muslims have been willing to come out publicly and say, enough is enough. muslims like brooklyn imam daod hanif who thinks they should rethink the islamic center plan.

>> if the imam decides to shift it somewhere else, it would be better.

>> you think so?

>> yes.

>> he said on abc's "this week" that such a move would be seen as failure with consequences.

>> the headline in the muslim world will be islam is under attack in america, this will strengthen the radicals in the muslim world . help their recruitment.

>> but his fellow muslim imam disagrees.

>> it will be considered as a very good gesture on his part. a great sacrifice.

>> for now, the 9/11 remembrance that might have been overshadowed by the intensifying debate over islam instead began and ended with its purpose intact. even as the debate will continue. mike taibbi , nbc news, new