Governor may meet mosque developers

Albany: Governor David Paterson said he will soon meet with developers of a proposed Islamic centre and mosque near the former World Trade Centre, a spokesman said on Tuesday.

Paterson's office declined to say what the meeting would be about, but Republican Rep. Peter King told The Associated Press that the governor wants to discuss possible alternative locations for the Park51 Islamic cultural centre and mosque. King said he spoke with the governor Tuesday.

Representatives of the project said no meeting had been scheduled.

Paterson last week offered his help and the possibility that state land could be provided as an alternative site for the centre. The project has ignited debate over freedom of religion and anger over the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The planned $100 million centre would be built two blocks from the World Trade Centre site, where nearly 2,800 people died when Islamic extremists flew jets into the twin towers.

The project is headed by Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, a Muslim cleric who has worked to improve relations between Islam and the West.