The imam behind the mosque proposed near Ground Zero, Feisal Abdul Rauf, has been tarred as a terrorist sympathizer with ties to extremist groups by critics like GOP/Conservative gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio, who are using the religious leader to make a case against the $100 million project.

That description doesn’t sit well with Joan Brown Campbell, director of religion at Chautauqua Institution, not-for-profit, 750-acre educational center in Western NY where Rauf is an adviser and has spoken on several occasions.

“It’s really outrageous,” Campbell told The Buffalo News in response to Lazio’s characterization of the imam.

“I have known Imam Feisal for 10 years and have worked with him. He has been very much a peacekeeper….”Every time, he has spoken about the terrorists and decried their actions. He’s been extremely clear about that.”

Much has been made about this statement from Rauf following the 9/11 attacks: “I wouldn’t say the United States deserved what happened on 9-11, but the United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened.”

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani said yesterday on the “Today” show that he’s “confused” by the imam and insisted if Rauf really wants to heal divisions caused by the attacks, he should move his project elsewhere.

Rauf has started a three-country State Department-sponsored tour of the Middle East that is part of a program to promote interfaith tolerance. It appears local news outlets will have access to him during the trip, while international reporters are being kept away. Conservatives are up in arms over the trip, which is costing about $16,000.

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