By Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America Bureau
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Manhattan, NY- Hundreds of supporters and opponents of the controversial mosque near ground zero held rallies near the mosque’s proposed site in Lower Manhattan yesterday.

Police kept the two rallies apart but tensions were high. Some people even engaged in shouting matches to voice out their strong opinions for and against the mosque.

A group of protesters carrying U.S. flags and other red, white and blue apparels chanted, “No mosque! No mosque! No mosque!”

In a Catholic mass at the Philippine Center Saturday, some Filipinos said they agree with the protesters.

“I am not a racist but in my own opinion, I don’t want a mosque nearby because they belong to the same race or religion as the World Trade attackers,” said community leader Josie Dimaliwat of Bronx, New York.

“They should find another place for their mosque because it’s disrespectful for those who died there and their families,” added Victoria Dumlao Tancio of Leonia, New Jersey.

Meantime, defenders of the mosque said they welcome their Muslim brothers and sisters in the spirit of tolerance and religious freedom.

Filipino-American Rose Cuison Villazor, who lives two blocks away from the proposed site said she supports a mosque that represents peace and unity.

“I believe the people protesting against the establishment of this Mosque are confusing Islam with an extremist form of Islam,” said Villazor.

She said opposing its construction near Ground Zero would send the wrong message. “It means that we have catered to fear, we’re allowing certain religious freedom to be curtailed.”

Muslims have been praying at the Islamic center during the holy month of Ramadan and Muslims have been worshipping at the controversial site since December last year.

Americans Against Islamophobia leader Benjamin Silverman said, “It’s more of a renovation more than anything else. It’s something that already exists.”

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