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Center that will cater to all of new york. gym and basketball courts. >> reporter: plans include a performing arts center, swimming pool, child care facilities, and yes, a muslim prayer space two blocks from the worst terror attack in u.s. history. why not have a prayer space for buddhists or jews or christians or why must it be muslim? it can't just be a business decision. >> there are jewish community centers all over the country. >> reporter: but the jews didn't take down two towers. >> there are ymcas all over the country. >> reporter: but the christians didn't take down two towers. for th...

Status. it sounds pretty defiant but to the driving force behind all of this it is really a labor of love. this is where you sort of conceived of the idea? >> yes, it is. >> reporter: meet new york real estate developer sharif el gamol, the man at the center of the controversial plan. >> this is an islamic community center that will cater to all of new york. this gym and basketball courts. >> reporter: plans include a performing arts center, swimming pool, child care facilities, and, yes, a muslim prayer space two blocks from the worst terror attack in u.s. history. why not have a prayer space...

No full time staff. when he learned about plans to build an islamic community center including a mosque two blocks north of ground zero, he said he had to send a warning. a mosque would be a victory for the terrorists. >> the people establishing this facility, you think they're celebrating the murder of 3,000 people? >> i think so. >> how are they celebrating? >> reporter: by erecting a mosque to their martyrs which they have traditionally done all over the world. >> reporter: he claims they are the 19 hijackers of the 19 planes. >> you can also look how many muslims see mosques. they see them...

Week. unemployment benefits and their extension is scheduled for a vote. elena kagan could take a giant step toward becoming the next supreme court justice. the senate judiciary committee is expected to approve kagan's nomination today and send it to the full senate for confirmation. a plan to build an islamic community center near ground zero, sacred ground for many americans, has led to a very emotional and at times an angry debate, both in new york city, but also across the country. >> at a hearing in new york city, one woman called it a monument to terrorism. but some muslim communit...

Muslims see mosques. they see them as military barracks. >> reporter: do you think this will be a military bar rack? >> well, they call the faithful their soldiers. >> reporter: the fact is, this building has been functioning as a prayer space since last fall. for the friday mid-day prayer, the most important for muslims, this place is packed with more than 400 worshippers. those congregants, just a handful come on most days, say wheeler's claims are outrageous. >> it's tremendously offensive as a muslim new yorker and an american that anyone would make the attempt to associate myself, who is ...