Hamas leader gives nod for Ground Zero mosque

New York, Aug.16 (ANI): A Hamas leader has insisted that American Muslims must construct the mosque near Ground Zero in New York.

"We have to build everywhere," said the New York Post quoted Mahmoud al-Zahar, a co-founder of Hamas and the organization's chief on the Gaza Strip, as saying.

"In every area we have, [as] Muslim[s], we have to pray, and this mosque is the only site of prayer," he said on "Aaron Klein Investigative Radio" on WABC.

"We have to build the mosque, as you are allowed to build the church and Israelis are building their holy places."

New York Democrat Senator Chuck Schumer dismissed the endorsement.

"Hamas is a terrorist organization, and their views don't deserve any weight on anything," his spokesman said.

Zahar said Muslims around the world, including those who live in this country, are united in a common cause. (ANI)