The proposal to build the mosque has been met with several protests over the past few months.
On her Twitter page Palin said, “Peaceful New Yorkers, pls refute the ground zero mosque plan if you believe catastrophic pain caused [at the] twin towers site is too raw, too real.”
In a previous post she used “refudiate” rather than “refute,” which prompted several media outlets to make clear that the former isn’t a word.
Palin shot back and Tweeted: “English is a living language. Shakespeare liked to coin new words too. Got to celebrate it!”
Palin spoke to Muslims in her next Twitter posting, saying, “Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand, ground zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in interest of healing.”
Protesters of the proposed mosque said that erecting the 0 million building, which includes a swimming pool, an auditorium, shops, and art exhibitions, would be disrespectful of the people who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Before the attacks, the building’s tenant was a Burlington Coat Factory.
The Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement say that the mosque is to foster better relations between the Muslim world and the West.
Daisy Khan, a spokesperson of the project released a statement that was obtained by ABC.
“We agree with Ms. Palin that it is time to heal from the wounds of the tragic events of 9/11. We peace-loving Muslims have a responsibility to lead the effort of rebuilding Lower Manhattan,” she said in the statement. “We envision a community center for multifaith collaboration that is focused on promoting integration, tolerance of difference, and community cohesion.”
She added, “We welcome the opportunity to discuss with Ms. Palin how Muslim Americans have an added responsibility to create a countermomentum against extremism by building institutions like this center, that will amplify the voices of the mainstream peace-loving Muslims.”
Current supporters of the project include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is running for governor of the state.
Bloomberg told NY1 that “I happen to think this is a very appropriate place for somebody who wants to build a mosque, because it tells the world that America, and New York City, which is what I’m responsible for, really believes in what we preach.”
Rep. Peter King and former representative and gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio have denounced the proposed plans to construct the worship center.
“I think the 9/11 families have a right to know where the funding comes from; I think there are significant questions,” King, who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Associated Press.