Muslims have been worshiping in the abandoned building that is now the center of debate — two blocks from the edge of Ground Zero — for more than a year. The only question left is whether the community center will get built. Most of us don’t know that. I learned it from an excellent report aired tonight on 60 Minutes tonight. They also traveled to DC:
It occurred to us that there is, of course, another Ground Zero: 184 people were killed at the Pentagon on 9/11. One face of the Pentagon was rebuilt and a memorial and Pentagon chapel opened on the spot where the airplane hit.
For eight years now, every weekday at 2 o’clock you can hear the Islamic call to prayer in the chapel. Every faith is welcome. Islamic servicemen and civilians are among those who use the chapel most often.
The Pentagon chaplain in charge is Colonel Daniel Minjares. “I think this is representative of America, again, not just Army values, but what America, the best of what America represents, that various groups, various faith traditions can all use the same building. We understand each other better, and we support one another,” he told Pelley.
“And there is nothing inconsistent about hearing the Islamic call to prayer at Ground Zero at the Pentagon?” Pelley asked.
“Not for me, there isn’t,” the colonel replied.