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The Cordoba House => Park51. Originally, the project to build a mosque near Ground Zero was called The Cordoba House. However, this name caused quite a bit of controversy. Eventually, the project was renamed Park51 (since the address of the building is 51 Park Place).
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The Cordoba House => Park51 • Originally, the project to build a mosque near Ground Zero was called The Cordoba House. However, this name caused quite a bit of controversy. Eventually, the project was renamed Park51 (since the address of the building is 51 Park Place). • Why was the name The Cordoba House so controversial? Keep reading to find out…
Before 711 • Cordoba, Spain was controlled by the Visigoths, a barbarian kingdom that practiced Christianity. • You may remember the Visigoths as one of many barbarian tribes that conquered the Roman Empire.
711 • In 711, Muslims defeated the Visigoths (a barbarian kingdom that practiced Christianity) and conquered the city of Cordoba, Spain. For a while, Muslims shared St. Vincent Church with the Christian Visigoths: half of the church was dedicated to Christian services, while the other half of the church was converted to a mosque.
711 - 1236 • Jews and Christians were not forced to live in ghettoes or other special locations. • Jews and Christians were not slaves. • Jews and Christians were not prevented from following their faith. • Jews and Christians were not forced to convert or die under Muslim rule. • Jews and Christians were not banned from any particular ways of earning a living. • Jews and Christians often took on jobs shunned by Muslims; these included unpleasant jobs such as butchery as well as pleasant jobs such as banking and dealing in gold and silver. • Jews and Christians could work in the civil service of the Islamic rulers. • In Cordoba, Muslims brought in an era of religious tolerance. Jews and Christians kept some freedom under Muslim rule.
784 • In 784, Muslims completely transformed St. Vincent Church into a mosque. The Great Mosque of Cordoba became the largest and most beautiful mosque outside of Mecca.
1236 • In 1236, Christians defeated the Muslims and conquered the city of Cordoba. The Christians converted the mosque into a church called the Cathedral of Cordoba. • Still today, some Muslims living in Spain wish to pray in this building, but the Catholic Church will not allow Muslims to enter.
The Cordoba House => Park51 • What do you think about the name The Cordoba House? • Do you think it was an appropriate name for the mosque proposed to be built near Ground Zero? • Or do you think it was an inappropriate name and Park51 is a more appropriate name for the mosque proposed to be built near Ground Zero?