Brief von Kirsan Ilyumzhinov an Bürgermeister Michael
Bloomberg:
September 14,2010
Michael Bloomberg
One Centre Street, Manhattan
New York, 10038
Dear Mayor Bloomberg,
The entire world is following the controversy that has arisen
over the possible construction of a mosque near the site of the tragic events of
Sept, 11, 2001. This issue has divided society in the United States and across
the world, and its repercussions are global.
I believe that religious conflicts are extremely dangerous in
complex times such as ours. As president of the World Chess Federation (FIDE),
and as a person who has always supported interreligious understanding, I propose
the construction of an International Chess Center at the suggested site of the
mosque.
Chess is a unique and wise game. It came to the West from the
East, unites every country, and it has affinities with every religion equally.
My dream as president of FIDE is that chess becomes the only "battlefield"
between East and West. Perhaps this is not yet possible, but we will do all we
can to ease tensions. At the International Chess Center, which will be erected
in the immediate vicinity of the World Trade Center, there will be a free chess
school for children, national and international tournaments, and other
educational and charitable activities. The Center will also hold annual memorial
tournaments to benefit families of victims of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001.
We look forward to receiving your support, and hope that this
proposal will prove the optimal solution and resolve a controversy that has
caused such disquiet across the world.
On behalf of FIDE, I am writing to Mr. Hisham Elzanaly, owner
of the property under discussion, with a proposal to buy the property for the
construction of the International Chess Center.
Yours sincerely
[Unterschrift]
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
President, FIDE
Südspitze von Manhatten
"Grund Zero" und geplante Moschee
Das geplante islamische Begegnungszentrum als Modell
Das Grundstück in der bisherigen Bebauung von 1850
