Muslim_JJ Prayers_NN2 and_CC Renewal_NN1 Near_II Ground_NN1 Zero_NN1 On_II that_DD1 still-quiet_JJ Tuesday_NPD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, the_AT sales_NN staff_NN was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 basement_NN1 room_NN1 eating_NN1 breakfast_NN1 ,_, waiting_VVG to_TO open_VVI the_AT doors_NN2 to_II the_AT first_MD shoppers_NN2 at_II 10_MC a.m_RA ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT immediate_JJ sign_NN1 of_IO the_AT fiery_JJ cataclysm_NN1 that_CST erupted_VVD overhead_RL starting_VVG at_II 8:46_MC ._. 
But_CCB out_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 baby-blue_JJ sky_NN1 suddenly_RR stained_VVN with_IW smoke_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 plane_NN1 's_GE landing-gear_JJ assembly_NN1 the_AT size_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC torpedo_NN1 crashed_VVD through_II the_AT roof_NN1 and_CC down_RP through_II two_MC empty_JJ selling_NN1 floors_NN2 of_IO the_AT Burlington_NP1 Coat_NN1 Factory_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Sept._NPM1 11_MC ,_, 2001_MC ,_, attack_NN1 killed_VVD 2,752_MC people_NN downtown_RL and_CC doomed_VVN the_AT five-story_JJ building_NN1 at_II 45_MC Park_NP1 Place_NNL1 ,_, two_MC blocks_NN2 north_ND1 of_IO the_AT World_NN1 Trade_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, keeping_VVG it_PPH1 abandoned_VVD for_IF eight_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
But_CCB for_IF months_NNT2 now_RT ,_, out_II21 of_II22 the_AT public_NN1 eye_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 iron_NN1 gate_NN1 rises_VVZ every_AT1 Friday_NPD1 afternoon_NNT1 ,_, and_CC with_IW the_AT outside_JJ rumblings_NN2 of_IO construction_NN1 at_II ground_NN1 zero_NN1 as_II a_AT1 backdrop_NN1 ,_, hundreds_NNO2 of_IO Muslims_NN2 crowd_VV0 inside_RL ,_, facing_VVG Mecca_NP1 in_II prayer_NN1 and_CC listening_VVG to_II their_APPGE imam_NN1 read_VVN in_II Arabic_NN1 from_II the_AT Koran_NN1 ._. 
The_AT building_NN1 has_VHZ no_AT sign_NN1 that_CST hints_VVZ at_II its_APPGE use_NN1 as_II a_AT1 Muslim_JJ prayer_NN1 space_NN1 ,_, but_CCB these_DD2 modest_JJ beginnings_NN2 point_VV0 to_II a_AT1 far_RG grander_JJR vision_NN1 :_: an_AT1 Islamic_JJ center_NN1 near_II the_AT city_NN1 's_GE most_RGT hallowed_JJ piece_NN1 of_IO land_NN1 that_CST would_VM stand_VVI as_CSA one_MC1 of_IO ground_NN1 zero_MC 's_VBZ more_RGR unexpected_JJ and_CC striking_JJ neighbors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT location_NN1 was_VBDZ precisely_RR a_AT1 key_JJ selling_NN1 point_NN1 for_IF the_AT group_NN1 of_IO Muslims_NN2 who_PNQS bought_VVD the_AT building_NN1 in_II July_NPM1 ._. 
A_AT1 presence_NN1 so_RG close_RR to_II the_AT World_NN1 Trade_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, "_" where_CS a_AT1 piece_NN1 of_IO the_AT wreckage_NN1 fell_VVD ,_, "_" said_VVD Imam_NN1 Feisal_NP1 Abdul_NP1 Rauf_NP1 ,_, the_AT cleric_NN1 leading_VVG the_AT project_NN1 ,_, "_" sends_VVZ the_AT opposite_JJ statement_NN1 to_II what_DDQ happened_VVD on_II 9/11_MF ._. "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 want_VV0 to_TO push_VVI back_RP against_II the_AT extremists_NN2 ,_, "_" added_JJ Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS organizers_NN2 have_VH0 sought_VVN to_TO avoid_VVI publicizing_VVG their_APPGE project_NN1 because_CS they_PPHS2 say_VV0 plans_NN2 are_VBR too_RG preliminary_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 has_VHZ drawn_VVN early_JJ encouragement_NN1 from_II city_NN1 officials_NN2 and_CC the_AT surrounding_JJ neighborhood_NN1 ._. 
Mayor_NNB Michael_NP1 R._NP1 Bloomberg_NP1 said_VVD through_II a_AT1 spokesman_NN1 that_CST Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 told_VVD him_PPHO1 of_IO the_AT project_NN1 last_MD September_NPM1 at_II a_AT1 celebration_NN1 to_TO observe_VVI the_AT end_NN1 of_IO Ramadan_NNT1 ._. 
As_II21 for_II22 whether_CSW Mr._NNB Bloomberg_NP1 supported_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, the_AT spokesman_NN1 ,_, Andrew_NP1 Brent_NP1 ,_, said_VVD ,_, "_" If_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ legal_JJ ,_, the_AT building_NN1 owners_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 right_NN1 to_TO do_VDI what_DDQ they_PPHS2 want_VV0 ._. "_" 
The_AT mayor_NN1 's_GE director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Office_NN1 of_IO Immigrant_JJ Affairs_NN2 ,_, Fatima_NP1 Shama_NP1 ,_, went_VVD further_RRR ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 as_II New_NP1 York_NP1 Muslims_NN2 have_VH0 as_RG much_DA1 of_IO a_AT1 commitment_NN1 to_II rebuilding_VVG New_NP1 York_NP1 as_CSA anybody_PN1 ,_, "_" Ms._NNB Shama_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Imam_NN1 Feisal_NP1 's_GE wife_NN1 ,_, Daisy_NP1 Khan_NNA ,_, serves_VVZ on_II an_AT1 advisory_JJ team_NN1 for_IF the_AT National_JJ September_NPM1 11_MC Memorial_NN1 and_CC Museum_NN1 ,_, and_CC Lynn_NP1 Rasic_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 spokeswoman_NN1 for_IF the_AT memorial_NN1 ,_, said_VVD ,_, "_" The_AT idea_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 cultural_JJ center_NN1 that_CST strengthens_VVZ ties_NN2 between_II Muslims_NN2 and_CC people_NN of_IO all_DB faiths_NN2 and_CC backgrounds_NN2 is_VBZ positive_JJ ._. "_" 
Those_DD2 who_PNQS have_VH0 worked_VVN with_IW him_PPHO1 say_VV0 if_CSW anyone_PN1 could_VM pull_VVI off_RP what_DDQ many_DA2 regard_VV0 to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 delicate_JJ project_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 ,_, whom_PNQO they_PPHS2 described_VVD as_II having_VHG built_VVN a_AT1 career_NN1 preaching_VVG tolerance_NN1 and_CC interfaith_NN1 understanding_NN1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 subscribes_VVZ to_II my_APPGE credo_NN1 :_: 'Live_VV0 and_CC let_VV0 live_JJ ,_, '_" ?_? "_" said_VVD Rabbi_NNB Arthur_NP1 Schneier_NP1 ,_, spiritual_JJ leader_NN1 of_IO Park_NP1 East_ND1 Synagogue_NN1 on_II East_ND1 67th_MD Street_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 Sufi_NN1 ,_, Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 follows_VVZ a_AT1 path_NN1 of_IO Islam_NN1 focused_VVD more_RRR on_II spiritual_JJ wisdom_NN1 than_CSN on_II strict_JJ ritual_NN1 ,_, and_CC as_II a_AT1 bridge_NN1 builder_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ sometimes_RT focused_VVN more_RRR on_II cultivating_VVG relations_NN2 with_IW those_DD2 outside_II his_APPGE faith_NN1 than_CSN within_II it_PPH1 ._. 
But_CCB though_CS the_AT imam_NN1 is_VBZ adamant_JJ about_II what_DDQ his_APPGE intentions_NN2 for_IF the_AT site_NN1 are_VBR ,_, there_EX is_VBZ anxiety_NN1 among_II those_DD2 involved_VVN or_CC familiar_JJ with_IW the_AT project_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 could_VM very_RG well_RR become_VVI a_AT1 target_NN1 for_IF anti-Muslim_JJ attacks_NN2 ._. 
Joan_NP1 Brown_NP1 Campbell_NP1 ,_, director_NN1 of_IO the_AT department_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 at_II the_AT Chautauqua_NP1 Institution_NN1 in_II upstate_JJ New_NP1 York_NP1 and_CC former_DA general_JJ secretary_NN1 of_IO the_AT National_JJ Council_NN1 of_IO Churches_NN2 of_IO Christ_NP1 U.S.A._NP1 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ a_AT1 supporter_NN1 of_IO Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 ,_, acknowledged_VVD the_AT possibility_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 backlash_NN1 from_II those_DD2 opposed_VVN to_II a_AT1 Muslim_JJ presence_NN1 at_II ground_NN1 zero_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB ,_, she_PPHS1 added_VVD :_: "_" Building_VVG so_RG close_JJ is_VBZ owning_VVG the_AT tragedy_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO saying_VVG :_: 'This_NN1 is_VBZ something_PN1 done_VDN by_II people_NN who_PNQS call_VV0 themselves_PPX2 Muslims_NN2 ._. 
We_PPIS2 want_VV0 to_TO be_VBI here_RL to_TO repair_VVI the_AT breach_NN1 ,_, as_CSA the_AT Bible_NN1 says_VVZ ._. '_" ?_? "_" 
The_AT F.B.I_NP1 ._. 
said_JJ Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 had_VHD helped_VVN agents_NN2 reach_VVI out_RP to_II the_AT Muslim_JJ population_NN1 after_II Sept._NPM1 11_MC ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 've_VH0 had_VHN positive_JJ interactions_NN2 with_IW him_PPHO1 in_II the_AT past_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD an_AT1 agency_NN1 spokesman_NN1 ,_, Richard_NP1 Kolk_NP1 ._. 
Alice_NP1 Hoagland_NP1 of_IO Las_NP1 Gatos_NP1 ,_, Calif._NP1 ,_, whose_DDQGE son_NN1 ,_, Mark_NP1 Bingham_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ killed_VVN in_II the_AT hijacked_JJ plane_NN1 that_CST crashed_VVD in_II Pennsylvania_NP1 ,_, said_VVD ,_, "_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ quite_RG a_AT1 bold_JJ step_NN1 buying_VVG a_AT1 piece_NN1 of_IO land_NN1 adjacent_II21 to_II22 ground_NN1 zero_NN1 ,_, "_" but_CCB she_PPHS1 said_VVD she_PPHS1 considered_VVD plans_NN2 for_IF the_AT site_NN1 "_" a_AT1 noble_JJ effort_NN1 ._. "_" 
On_II a_AT1 recent_JJ Friday_NPD1 ,_, worshipers_NN2 in_II the_AT old_JJ Burlington_NP1 Coat_NN1 Factory_NN1 heard_VVD Imam_NN1 Feisal_NP1 's_GE call_NN1 for_IF spiritual_JJ purity_NN1 during_II the_AT time_NNT1 of_IO the_AT hajj_NN1 ,_, the_AT annual_JJ pilgrimage_NN1 to_II Mecca_NP1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 like_VV0 Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 ,_, the_AT way_NN1 he_PPHS1 presents_VVZ the_AT philosophy_NN1 of_IO the_AT true_JJ Islam_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 call_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, "_" said_VVD one_MC1 of_IO the_AT congregants_NN2 ,_, Mohammed_NP1 Abdullah_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 investment_NN1 banker_NN1 who_PNQS traveled_VVD from_II Washington_NP1 for_IF the_AT service_NN1 ._. 
The_AT location_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX designated_VVN a_AT1 mosque_NN1 ,_, but_CCB rather_RG an_AT1 overflow_NN1 prayer_NN1 space_NN1 for_IF another_DD1 mosque_NN1 ,_, Al_NP1 Farah_NP1 at_II 245_MC West_ND1 Broadway_NN1 in_II TriBeCa_NP1 ,_, where_RRQ Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT spiritual_JJ leader_NN1 ._. 
Built_VVN in_II 1923_MC ,_, the_AT building_NN1 at_II 45_MC Park_NP1 Place_NNL1 was_VBDZ bought_VVN by_II Sy_NP1 Syms_NP1 ,_, the_AT discount_NN1 retailer_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 partner_NN1 ,_, Irving_NP1 Pomerantz_NP1 ,_, in_II 1968_MC ,_, and_CC became_VVD one_MC1 of_IO the_AT early_JJ Syms_NN2 stores_NN2 ._. 
The_AT store_NN1 closed_VVD in_II 1990_MC ,_, the_AT partners_NN2 parted_VVD ways_NN2 ,_, and_CC the_AT Pomerantz_NP1 family_NN1 then_RT leased_VVD the_AT building_NN1 to_II the_AT Burlington_NP1 Coat_NN1 Factory_NN1 ._. 
Skip_VV0 to_II next_MD paragraph_NN1 On_II Sept._NPM1 11_MC ,_, the_AT store_NN1 ,_, with_IW 80_MC employees_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO 250_MC Burlington_NP1 outlets_NN2 nationwide_RL owned_VVN by_II the_AT Milstein_NP1 family_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 morning_NNT1 ,_, recalled_VVD Stephen_NP1 Milstein_NP1 ,_, the_AT company_NN1 's_GE former_DA general_JJ manager_NN1 and_CC vice_JJ president_NN1 ,_, the_AT staff_NN was_VBDZ in_II the_AT basement_NN1 when_CS a_AT1 piece_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 plane_NN1 plunged_VVN through_II the_AT roof_NN1 ,_, either_RR from_II American_JJ Airlines_NN2 Flight_NN1 11_MC crashing_JJ into_II the_AT north_ND1 tower_NN1 at_II 8:46_MC a.m._RA ,_, or_CC United_JJ Airlines_NN2 Flight_NN1 175_MC crashing_JJ into_II the_AT south_ND1 tower_NN1 at_II 9:03_MC ._. 
Kukiko_NP1 Mitani_NP1 ,_, whose_DDQGE husband_NN1 ,_, Stephen_NP1 Pomerantz_NP1 ,_, owned_VVD the_AT building_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, tried_VVD to_TO sell_VVI it_PPH1 for_IF years_NNT2 ,_, at_II one_MC1 time_NNT1 asking_VVG $18_NNU million_NNO ._. 
But_CCB when_CS the_AT recession_NN1 hit_VVD ,_, she_PPHS1 sold_VVD it_PPH1 in_II July_NPM1 to_II a_AT1 real_JJ estate_NN1 investment_NN1 firm_NN1 ,_, Soho_NP1 Properties_NN2 ,_, for_IF $4.85_NNU million_NNO in_II cash_NN1 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT investors_NN2 was_VBDZ the_AT Cordoba_NP1 Initiative_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 interfaith_NN1 group_NN1 founded_VVN by_II Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ really_RR to_TO provide_VVI a_AT1 place_NN1 of_IO peace_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 place_NN1 of_IO services_NN2 and_CC solutions_NN2 for_IF the_AT community_NN1 which_DDQ is_VBZ always_RR looking_VVG for_IF interfaith_NN1 dialogue_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Sharif_NP1 El-Gamal_NP1 ,_, chairman_NN1 and_CC chief_JJ executive_NN1 of_IO Soho_NP1 Properties_NN2 ._. 
The_AT patched-up_JJ roof_NN1 was_VBDZ easily_RR visible_JJ on_II a_AT1 recent_JJ tour_NN1 of_IO the_AT building_NN1 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 evidence_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE sudden_JJ evacuation_NN1 :_: food_NN1 bags_NN2 still_RR in_II a_AT1 fifth-floor_JJ staff_NN refrigerator_NN1 and_CC ,_, most_RGT eerily_RR ,_, a_AT1 log_NN1 sheet_NN1 for_IF the_AT testing_NN1 of_IO the_AT emergency_NN1 alarm_NN1 system_NN1 that_CST shows_VVZ a_AT1 sign-in_NN1 signature_NN1 for_IF 9/11_MF but_CCB no_AT sign-out_NN1 ._. 
Records_NN2 kept_VVN by_II the_AT city_NN1 's_GE Department_NN1 of_IO Buildings_NN2 show_VV0 anonymous_JJ complaints_NN2 for_IF illegal_JJ construction_NN1 and_CC blocked_VVD exits_NN2 at_II the_AT site_NN1 ._. 
Inspectors_NN2 tried_VVD to_TO check_VVI but_CCB were_VBDR unable_JK to_TO gain_VVI access_NN1 ,_, so_CS the_AT complaints_NN2 ,_, though_CS still_RR open_VV0 ,_, were_VBDR listed_VVN as_CSA "_" resolved_VVN "_" under_II city_NN1 procedures_NN2 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 an_AT1 agency_NN1 spokeswoman_NN1 ,_, Carly_NP1 Sullivan_NP1 ._. 
But_CCB worshipers_NN2 are_VBR legally_RR occupying_VVG the_AT building_NN1 ,_, where_CS retail_JJ space_NN1 is_VBZ offered_VVN for_IF lease_NN1 ,_, once_RR a_AT1 week_NNT1 under_II temporary_JJ permits_NN2 of_IO assembly_NN1 through_II December_NPM1 ,_, Ms._NNB Sullivan_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
With_IW 50,000_MC square_JJ feet_NN2 of_IO air_NN1 rights_NN2 ,_, Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 said_VVD ,_, the_AT location_NN1 ,_, with_IW enough_DD financing_NN1 ,_, could_VM support_VVI an_AT1 ambitious_JJ project_NN1 of_IO $150_NNU million_NNO ,_, akin_JJ to_II the_AT Chautauqua_NP1 Institution_NN1 ,_, the_AT 92_MC Street_NN1 Y_ZZ1 or_CC the_AT Jewish_JJ Community_NN1 Center_NN1 ._. 
Joy_NP1 Levitt_NP1 ,_, executive_NN1 director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Jewish_JJ Community_NN1 Center_NN1 ,_, said_VVD the_AT group_NN1 would_VM be_VBI proud_JJ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 model_NN1 for_IF Imam_NN1 Feisal_NN1 at_II ground_NN1 zero_NN1 ._. 
"_" For_IF the_AT J.C.C_NP1 ._. 
to_TO have_VHI partners_NN2 in_II the_AT Muslim_JJ community_NN1 that_CST share_VV0 our_APPGE vision_NN1 of_IO pluralism_NN1 and_CC tolerance_NN1 would_VM be_VBI great_JJ ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
Mr._NNB El-Gamal_NP1 agreed_VVD ._. 
"_" What_DDQ happened_VVD that_DD1 day_NNT1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" was_VBDZ not_XX Islam_NN1 ._. "_" 
