There has been a simmering fear and anger brewing against Muslims since the attacks on 9/11, and most recently it has reared its ugly head with respect to the building of an Islamic cultural centre being built near ground zero in New York City.

The New York cultural centre may be the most visible in the news, but anti-Islamic sentiments run across the United States.  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave an impassioned defence of the planned cultural centre in which he said that the constitution protected the freedom of religion and that the violence committed by a relative few does not paint an entire faith with the same brush.  That groups or individuals with private funding can build whatever they want whenever they want hasn't been lost in the debate either, whereas critics of the building say that it's simply a matter of feelings.

Let's ignore for a moment that all religions are merely cultural constructs and are inherently counterproductive to positive social progress.  But saying that, I think it's pretty obvious that discrimination is not a good way to dial down tensions, or heal wounds, and I think Jon Stewart and the folks over at the Daily Show have put together a great piece on the foolishness on the part of those protesting the centre.

Watch the clip below if you're in the U.S., and if you're in Canada you can watch it by clicking here:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
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