Utility provider Con Edison, has asked a New York judge to grant them permission to evict the developer of a mosque at Ground Zero over $1.7 million in unpaid rent

Con Ed lawyer, Scott Mollen told Judge Richard Braun that it was doubtful that Sharif el Gamal, developer of the project would be able to raise the funds to repay the back rent. They’re $1.7 million in arrears, and they have not come close to demonstrating that they have the ability to pay up on the rent at 51 Park Place, Mollen told the judge. According to Mollen, Gamal also has not paid a $30,000 power bill, owes $230,000 in back real estate taxes and is being sued by four different banks for failing to pay loan guarantees. Additionally, three of the buildings Gamal owns have been cited for 754 building code violations and 80% of them are for either extremely hazardous or hazardous conditions. The judge was asked to lift a restraining order forbidding Con Ed from evicting Gamal from the location. Islamic terrorist group Hamas has come out in support of the mosque. “We have to build everywhere” said Mahmoud al-Zahar, a co-founder of Hamas. “In every area we have, we have to pray, and this mosque is the only site of prayer.” Zahar went on to say that they represent the vast majority of the Arabic and Islamic world.