Sure To Make Conservatives Nuts: Park51 Developers Apply For $5 Million Federal Grant

The developers behind the controversial Islamic center in lower Manhattan are seeking a $5 million grant for the development of lower Manhattan. Sharif El-Gamal, developer of the site, acknowledges the request.

He said the grant would fund social service programs open to all lower Manhattan residents–such as domestic-violence prevention, Arabic and other foreign language classes–and two multicultural art exhibits.

Grant money would not go to pay for the mosque at the 13-story center two blocks from Ground Zero, according to a report posted on TheDailyBeast.com Monday.

But that won’t stop those opposed to the project from objecting to the grant, anyway.

“I think it’s an insult to the 9/11 families. It’s another smack in the face,” said retired FDNY Deputy Chief Jim Riches, whose 29-year-old son, Jim, a firefighter, was killed on 9/11.

“I think it’s becoming more and more comical,” he said of the latest twist over the proposed 13-story Islamic community center and mosque. “Now we’re going to have to pay for it.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.