NYC Imam: No Deal to Move NYC "Mosque"

(CBS/ AP)  Updated at 7:52 p.m. ET

A representative for Imam Faisal tells CBS News that any agreement with Florida pastor Terry Jones is false.

Imam Faisal released a statement that reads: "I am glad that Pastor Jones has decided not to burn any Qurans. However, I have not spoken to Pastor Jones or Imam Musri. I am surprised by their announcement. We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter. We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony."

In addition, the Florida imam says no deal has been reached to move the site of an Islamic community center near ground zero in exchange for a Florida minister to call off plans to burn Qurans.

Imam Muhammad Musri tells The Associated Press that what he offered was a meeting among the Rev. Terry Jones, the New York imam planning the Islamic center and himself to talk about the Islamic community center location.

Musri is president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. He says he told Jones that he does not believe the Islamic community center should be built near the World Trade Center site and would do everything in his power to make sure it is moved.

Jones says he believes a deal was reached to move the Islamic community center and would fly to New York Saturday to discuss it. Jones said Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida told him that officials would guarantee that the so-called ground zero mosque would be moved. "I asked him three times, and I have witnesses," Jones said. "If it's not moved, then I think Islam is a very poor example of religion. I think that would be very pitiful. I do not expect that."

The Islamic community center continues to generate much news. Earlier Thursday Donald Trump offered to buy out one of the major investors in the real estate partnership that controls the site near ground zero where a Muslim group wants to build the 13-story Islamic center.

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 tells Elzanaty 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.

Trump says he's making the offer not because he thinks the location is spectacular but because it would end "a very serious, inflammatory, and highly divisive situation."

The letter from Trump reads in part:

"As part of the offer, it would be agreed that, if you or your representative were to build a mosque, it would be located at least five blocks further from the World Trade Center site."

Fact Check: The "Ground Zero Mosque" Debate

It's unclear whether Elzanaty has total control over the property, which is owned by an eight-member investment group managed by Soho Properties.

Many Republicans and some Democrats say the proposed $100 million Islamic cultural center and mosque should be built elsewhere where there is no possible association with New York's ground zero. Far more than a local zoning issue, the matter has seized congressional campaigns, put President Barack Obama and his party on the spot - he says Muslims have the right to build the mosque - divided families of the Sept. 11, 2001, victims, caught the attention of Muslims abroad and threatened to blur distinctions between mainstream Islam in the U.S. and its radical elements.

Dean: NYC Mosque a "Real Affront"
Mass. Gov. Defends "Ground Zero Mosque"
Pelosi Questions Funding of Mosque Critics

(CBS)

[I-READ-THE-BOOK]

We are not at war with Islam. Is Islam at war with us?
Islam is The only correct form of government, The only correct laws, The True religion. These elements compose Islam and can not be separated one from another. The United States Constitution separation of church and state provision does not cover Islam and can not be applied to Islam; Islam is the state, the state is Islam. Islam dictates that all people shall abide by Its Laws, convert to Its beliefs and follow its teachings. No other religion can be tolerated after non-believers have been given the Word of Islam. Believers must spread Islam to all corners of the earth.

N.B. The Koran tells us that it is not a sin to 'mislead' or lie to infidels.

[starving1968-3]

The letter from Trump reads in part:

"As part of the offer, it would be agreed that, if you or your representative were to build a mosque, it would be located at least five blocks further from the World Trade Center site."






Two blocks is completely UNACCEPTABLE!!!!

Seven blocks however is perfectly within reason.

Who deduced that formula?

[starving1968-3]

Imam Faisal released a statement that reads: "We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony."






Too bad the christian can't make the same statement.

[USMC-Mom]

I am not a fan of Trumps but he's offer is wonderful. Seems the perfect plan. An extra 25% just to move down the street a little.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

Don't you dare think Trump's doing it 'for America' or 'for New York'.

He's the biggest publicity ***** I've ever seen. He's doing it to get his name back into the media - to keep his 'brand' fresh in America's mind.


Trump doesn't do anything that's intentionally good for anyone except himself.

[jgg000101]

whatever trump's intenetions are, he is forcing the mosque developer's to show their true colors. So is the rev nutjob. Somebody's lying.
Was it the mosque developers who said they'd gladly sell for 18-20M?
Was it the rev who said he was told 4X by an imam that the mosque would be moved? Regardless of whether you like trump or the nutjob, they are lifting the veil of secrecy surrounding the mosque, and the developer's intentions.

[rafaeldrc]

I'm of the opinion that Jones is struggling for survival to maintain a position of leader within his congregation, as small as it may be, it's all he has - and his ego is at stake. For what little I know about the structure of the Islamic institutional system, I get the impression they are not centralized like the Mormons or Catholics. Instead, the Imams have lots of independence and their church structure is basically decentralized, similar to Christian Orthodox. That said, the Imam in Florida had no jurisdiction with what was going on in New York City, therefore, I surmise that Jones is attempting to manipulate the situation such that, he can save face in the eyes of his congregation in light of the international pressure that has come to bear in the last week, and also, create the impression that he has halted an Islamic onslaught. Though his perceptions are ludicrous and methods dangerous plus insulting.

In my opinion, Jones is lying about what really took place at the meeting yesterday. Moving the Mosque was not on the table for negotiation.

[jgg000101]

this guy is a moron and the more he and his wife talk the more I am convinced they are lying, scheming slimeballs.
"We want peace and harmony" - as long as you do what we want. Somebody is definitely lying if Jones says he was told 4X by an imam that the ground zero mosque was going to be relocated. I want to hear the rest of that story. And I also want to hear from trump, since the bulding's owner said publicly that he'd gladly sell for 18-20M, and trump offered even more.

[slappy-jones]

Trump offered 25% more than the mosque's current value, which is about $5 million.

[jgg000101]

no, trump offered 25% more than what the buyer's paid for it.

[tsigili]

Wake up America! This really IS about putting a monument to Islam, at the 9/11 site!

There is NO question, that is what this is about!

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

Wake Up conspiracy theory people!!!!!

The facts aren't on your side about the community center that's only NEAR the 9/11 site (not 'AT' it like you claim - you can't even get that right).

And if you want fuel for your silly conspiracy theories, there have been 2 actual Mosques near ground zero for dozens of years. The muslims clearly planned this aerial attack dozens of years ago and 'planted' these monuments to thier victory in place 30 or 40 years ago. And waited. And waited. Waiting for when the time was right to strike and then they could capitalize on thier insideous takeover of America by ALREADY HAVING MOSQUES IN STRATEGIC POSITIONS.

My god, they're crafty. My God thier smart....

yeah. They sure are smarter than you are.

[saneObserver]

I was initially a staunch supporter of the Mosque. The more I listen to the Iman, the more I question his motives. If he wanted to extend his hands in peace and harmony, he'd make a whole lot of friends by moving the mosque. He clearly meant to incite a battle and chose the location very carefully.

[slappy-jones]

Why move? They are American citizens, and should be treated as such.

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

Wow. you know this because you've heard him talk about how wrong it is for Americans to burn Korans and tell him to not put a peaceful community center in a building they could get cheaply.

Wow. You're clearly smarter than everyone else and can come up with the absolute truth with nearly no facts and no data.

I'm impressed.

[dontknowitall]

What's the word with the planned Gay Bar next to the mosque. Where do you send your donation?

[slatep]

I saw the interview with Imam Rauf on CNN on Wednesday night and I have to say I thought he was warning; very subtly but definitely, just how far the Muslims are willing to go to get this Mosque built.

Muslims are constantly asking for sensitivity and tolerance from the American people, but just ask the same from them and their response seems to be "Meet our request (actually demands) or we'll take you out everywhere and any way we can,".

Rauf speaks softly, but hides in his words thinly veiled threats.

The Quoran has not yet been burned, yet Muslims in Countries all over the world are already burning American flags, effigies and rioting in the streets; screaming "Death to Americans" and telling the world what atrocities they are going to commit if Jones goes ahead.

This does not sound much like they are willing to profer sensitivity and tolerance toward the US.

My comment to them is, "You should not demand of others that which you are not willing to do yourselves".