Muslim Leaders Rally In Support Of Downtown Islamic Center

Before a large crowd, speakers said that there is a rising tide of intolerance against Muslims in the United States. They also said that across the country politicians are fanning the flames of controversy over the proposed Manhattan mosque on Park Place.

This, as a recent poll shows 7 in 10 New York State residents want the project to find a new home.

The demonstrators said that Islam is not a foreign religion to the United States, and has deep roots in the country's history. They also remarked on how the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religious expression.

"This kind of verbal assault upon Islam and Muslims is unprecedented in our history," said Imam Al-Amin Abdul Latif of Majlis Ash-Shura of New York. "This nation was founded on the values of religious freedom and tolerance and fairness and justice and pluralism. We're going backwards."