Trump Offer for NYC Islamic Center Rejected

(AP)  Updated at 7:59 p.m. ET

Donald Trump offered Thursday to buy out a major investor in the real estate partnership that controls the site near ground zero where a Muslim group wants to build a 13-story Islamic center and mosque.

The offer, though, fell flat nearly instantly.

"This is just a cheap attempt to get publicity and get in the limelight," said Wolodymyr Starosolsky, a lawyer for the investor, Hisham Elzanaty.

In a letter released Thursday by Trump's publicist, the real estate investor told Elzanaty that he would buy his stake in the lower Manhattan building for 25 percent more than whatever he paid.

Scroll down to read the letter released by Donald Trump's office.

"I am making this offer as a resident of New York and citizen of the United States, not because I think the location is a spectacular one (because it is not), but because it will end a very serious, inflammatory, and highly divisive situation that is destined, in my opinion, to only get worse," the letter said.

Trump also attached a condition to his offer: He said that as part of the deal, the backers of the mosque project would need to promise that any new mosque they constructed would be at least five blocks farther away from the World Trade Center site.

In Gainesville, Fla., a minister said he had canceled plans to burn copies of the Quran because the imam leading the mosque agreed to move its location. Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said that he was surprised by the announcement and that he would not barter.

The current planned location is just two blocks north of the site. Opponents argue it's insensitive to families and memories of Sept. 11 victims to build a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists flew planes into the World Trade Center and killed nearly 2,800 people, while proponents support the project as a reflection of religious freedom and diversity.

It's unclear how much control Elzanaty has over the property, which is owned by an eight-member investment group led by Soho Properties, but his response was unequivocal.

"He knows what the value of the building is. If he were really interested in buying the buiding, he would have come forward with at least $20 million," Starosolsky said.

Elzanaty said he remains committed to the idea of having a mosque built on at least part of the property.

A spokesman for Soho Properties general manager Sharif El-Gamal and his nonprofit group, Park51, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. Earlier in the day, the organization sent a statement to The Associated Press affirming that Soho Properties controlled the real estate and that Elzanaty was one of several investors.

El-Gamal and other people associated with the Islamic center have refused to detail the ownership structure of the real estate partnership that holds the site.

Elzanaty's lawyer did not immediately return a phone message Thursday. But in a pair of interviews with the AP this week, Elzanaty said he had invested in the site with an intention of making a profit and was willing to half the land for private development, and maybe all of it if a Muslim group doesn't come forward with enough money to build the mosque.

Fact Check: The "Ground Zero Mosque" Debate
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(CBS)

[michaelm07]

So, if Trumps' offer was immediately and flatly refused out of hand, how can it be claimed to have been a publicity stunt? They didn't even consider it to learn if it was indeed legitimate or not. Sorry but the Mosque folks do not seem to be dealing in good faith on any level. In the end this things isn't going to get built, they know it and the whole thing is only meant to twist the knife, poke us with a sharp stick in the eye and mock us, related to 9/11 feelings and sentiments. The "religion of peace", is anything but. Nonetheless, libs are wringing their hands about trying to pacify the sensitivity of unpredictable Muslims. News flash, Muslims are very predictable and never satisfied, never will be and they only respect strength but that seems to be lacking in most quaters within this government. Meanwhile Muslim leaders are just laughing their a$$es off at what gullible idiots the non-muslim supporters of this thing are. The subject should never ever have been even contemplated or considered based on the history of that area - period.

Interesting that before the "post-racial" presidency of Obama, we didn't have nearly the angst of racial nor religious tensions as we do since Oabama entered office. Good job Barry, such a unifier he is, eh? And they called Bush (who was also a fool) divisive?!

Drain the swamp in November, just 54 more days to go. Dem or Rep, throw the professional politicians out on their ears.

[etech2000]

Your right Mr Trump - It is destined for disaster. If I were an insurance company I would not insure the Mosque knowing inevitably some nut will do something to it. Hey is it not what was threatened of the Floridian Preacher? I beleive two things has happened, his insurance company cancelled his policy and his bank called the loan in for full payment as it has become a risk property.

[gosandigo]

SO WHAT,,,,, IF DONALD APPEARS TO TO GET ATTENTION FOR BUYING A PERCENTAGE OF THE MOSQUE BUILDING..ANYTHING HE DOES GETS ATTENTION.HE IS A BUSINESS MAN..IT,S A GENOROUS MOVE BY DONALD.I APPLAUSE HIM EVEN IF IT ENDED UP AS A WRITE OFF.I DON.T BELIEVE THAT WOULD BOTHER DONALD. EVERYONE SAIDS THAT THE BUILDING IS A COUPLE BLOCKS FROM GROUND ZERO. THE ASHES OF THOSE INOCENT SOULES TRAVELED FOR BLOCKS MAYBE MILES.AND ON THAT BURLINGTON COAT FACTORY.IT.S THE FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR SOME.CREDOS TO YOU DONALD,SANDI FROM SAN DIEGO,

[liberalme]

Perhaps we should all pay attention to what our country USED to be:

Red Skelton, Pledge of Alligence:

http://www.poofcat.com/july.html

[stuwerb]

Just blame it on that stupid thing he has on top of his head. Donald, you're fired! Here's a box; go clean out your desk.

[truthtoday]

Typical Liberal hypocrites.
The same NYC building commission refused a building permit for a church but fast track and approve a building permit for a Mosque.

Decision Not to Rebuild Church Destroyed on 9/11 Surprises Greek Orthodox Leaders
Published August 18, 2010, | FoxNews.com
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/18/leaders-disappointed-government-declares-deal-rebuild-ground-zero-church-dead/

The St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, once a tiny, four-story building in the shadows of lower Manhattan, was destroyed in 2001 by one of the falling World Trade Center towers. Nobody from the church was hurt in the attack, but the congregation has, for the past eight years, been trying to rebuild its house of worship.
Though talks between the church and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey stalled last year, church leaders say they've been trying to kick-start discussions ever since.
But amid debate over whether a proposed Islamic community center should go forward near Ground Zero, government officials threw cold water on the prospect of any deal with the church -- telling Fox News the deal is off the table.
Confronted with the Port Authority's verdict, Father Mark Arey, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, said it's the first he's heard that.
"Negotiations did break off last year. We were expecting to hear from their lawyers -- we never did. We're still expecting to hear from them," he told Fox News. "We're disappointed. ... 130 Liberty Street was promised to us."

[gosandigo]

TRUTHTODAY.....GEE!!!! I DIDN'T KNOW THIS.THANKS FOR SHARING.SANDI

[ajapierce]

I think what Donald Trump is doing is a very admirable thing, considering that this Community Center being built near the WTC building is being used for nothing but policatical party gains, if it was not a mid-term election year no one would give a hoot.

At least Trump is trying to take the focus of the attention away.

[babooph]

Trump is another of those who think ALL will do anything for $$$,unlike the Donald,many have other priorities.LBJ trying to buy off Ho & Chang Kia Check being "chosen" to rule China[by crooked US politicos] due to his bottomless greed,worked out VERY poorly...

[valwayne]

Yeah for Donald Trumph. They can make a profict on selling the building and then locate the Mosque and Community center where it won't cause so much pain and they can worship and outreach in peace and harmany. Decent moderate people will snap up this offer in a heartbeat. So we'll soon know if we are dealing with moderates or extremist out to inflict hatred and pain on the nation!!!!! Let's hope for the best? Yeah..Donald Trumph!!!!

[PVperson2]

"Musri is president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida." not the Muslim center in NY, what authority does he have to be making deals, ANY? And Jones jumps on this as some kind of guarantee, brother, Jones is a moron only interested kn sticking his face in the media, neither he nor Musri have a say as to where the community center is to be built, what garbage.