Imam Thanks Obama for his support of Ground Zero Mosque

On our tax dollars, the Imam Rauf is in Bahrain thanking Obama for is 'qualified' support for the Islamic Mosque near Ground Zero. Wonder how much money he collected while in Bahrain for the Islamic Mosque. Is the Imam on a fundraising mission for the Islamic Mosque as alleged?

Wonder what the White House staff surrounding Obama thinks of this thanks from Iman Rauf today which keeps the Ground Zero Islamic Mosque in the news?

Imam Thanks Obama
By Richard Sisk

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf used his taxpayer-funded Mideast tour yesterday to praise President Obama’s qualified support for the mosque near Ground Zero.

“I am grateful to President Barack Obama and all those who expressed support for our project,” Abdul Rauf said at a dinner for student leaders in the Gulf state of Bahrain. the Gulf Daily News in Bahrain reported.

Obama fueled the debate over the mosque with a White House speech defending the right to build the project, but hedged by saying he wouldn’t comment on the “wisdom” of its location.

Abdul Rauf also wryly noted that “We are in the media a lot these days due to one of our initiatives,” a reference to the planned Islamic cultural center including a mosque on Park Place two blocks north of Ground Zero.

The 62-year old Abdul Rauf said the purpose of his $16,000 State Department-sponsored swing through Bahrain, Qatar and Abu Dhabi was to set an example of religious tolerance to the youth of the region.

“We are doing all this for the next generation because when you reach my age you think of what you are leaving behind,” Abdul Rauf said.

Stephanie Wilson, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy, said the Imam was also speaking about how Muslims were treated in the U.S.

“Imam Feisal is on a US-sponsored trip to discuss Muslim life in America and Ramadan is the perfect time to do so,” Wilson said, referring to the Muslim period of fasting and reflection.

Read more: New York Daily News