For 30 years, it stood in the World Trade Center as a symbol for peace. On September 11, it was damaged, not destroyed.

There is perhaps no stronger symbol peace and compassion than you,

The World Trade Center is a living symbol of man's dedication to world peace... a representation of man's belief in humanity, his need for individual dignity, his beliefs in the cooperation of men, and, through cooperation, his ability to find greatness.

The World Trade Center site will forever hold a special place in our city, in our hearts. But we would be untrue to the best part of ourselves and who we are as New Yorkers and Americans if we said no to a mosque in lower Manhattan.

You are safer here tonight than you would be on the streets of any other city in the world,

We will rebuild, renew and remain the capital of the free world,