Islamic Museum Being Built At The Sight Of The World Trade Center Three years ago, building developer Sharif El-Gamal stirred massive controversy when he built a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City. Now, El-Gamal is looking to build an Islamic museum in the same location. According to El-Gamal, in 2010 he was planning to build a $100 million community center and Muslim prayer area in the lot. Now, hes decided to move away from that plan and construct a smaller museum, which will be dedicated to the religion of Islam. The purpose of the museum will be to explore the faith of Islam and its arts and culture. It will also serve as a hub for Muslim prayer and community programs. The museum is located just two blocks from where the World Trade Center collapsed in 2001. El-Gamel insists that the museum will prove to be an important addition to the neighborhood and to New York Citys arts and cultural community. Not surprisingly, the same people who opposed the building of the mosque are back to fighting El-Gamels plans. The group consists mostly of conservatives, anti-Muslim organizations, and relatives of those affected by September 11. Robert Spencer, one of the protesters, states that if the building were to serve the purpose of an Islamic museum, it would be as grotesque as a three-story museum dedicated to exploring the faith of Shintoism and emperor-worship, and its arts and culture, with a sanctuary for prayer services and community programs, at Pearl Harbor. 