The Cordoba House => Park51 Originally, the project to build a mosque near Ground Zero was called The Cordoba House. However, this name caused quite a bit of controversy. Eventually, the project was renamed Park51 (since the address of the building is 51 Park Place). Why was the name The Cordoba House so controversial? Keep reading to find out…
Let’s study the history of Cordoba, Spain!
Before 711 Cordoba, Spain was controlled by the Visigoths, a barbarian kingdom that practiced Christianity. You may remember the Visigoths as one of many barbarian tribes that conquered the Roman Empire.
711 In 711, Muslims defeated the Visigoths (a barbarian kingdom that practiced Christianity) and conquered the city of Cordoba, Spain. For a while, Muslims shared St. Vincent Church with the Christian Visigoths: half of the church was dedicated to Christian services, while the other half of the church was converted to a mosque.
In Cordoba, Muslims brought in an era of religious tolerance. Jews and Christians kept some freedom under Muslim rule. Jews and Christians were not forced to live in ghettoes or other special locations. Jews and Christians were not slaves. Jews and Christians were not prevented from following their faith. Jews and Christians were not forced to convert or die under Muslim rule. Jews and Christians were not banned from any particular ways of earning a living. Jews and Christians often took on jobs shunned by Muslims; these included unpleasant jobs such as butchery as well as pleasant jobs such as banking and dealing in gold and silver. Jews and Christians could work in the civil service of the Islamic rulers.
784 In 784, Muslims completely transformed St. Vincent Church into a mosque. The Great Mosque of Cordoba became the largest and most beautiful mosque outside of Mecca.
1236 In 1236, Christians defeated the Muslims and conquered the city of Cordoba. The Christians converted the mosque into a church called the Cathedral of Cordoba. Still today, some Muslims living in Spain wish to pray in this building, but the Catholic Church will not allow Muslims to enter.
The Cordoba House => Park51 What do you think about the name The Cordoba House? Do you think it was an appropriate name for the mosque proposed to be built near Ground Zero? Or do you think it was an inappropriate name and Park51 is a more appropriate name for the mosque proposed to be built near Ground Zero?