Los Angeles , California ( CNN ) -- A group of 60 interfaith leaders in California called for Americans `` to rise above the rancorous shouting match '' as they spoke out Friday in favor of a controversial Islamic center near `` ground zero '' in New York . They called for understanding and tolerance and said religious freedom , one of America 's most cherished values , is at stake in the controversy that has gathered steam in the past few weeks . `` Such intolerance , in this country of all places , breaks my heart and I believe it breaks the heart of God , '' said the Rev . Anne Felton Hines of the Unitarian Universalist Church . She joined voices with Roman Catholics , Jews , Seventh Day Adventists , Muslims and leaders of other faiths at a news conference held at the Islamic Center of Southern California . Among them was Maher Hathout , chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California . `` I 'd like to emphasize this is not an issue for the Muslims , '' Hathout said . `` It is an issue for Americans who want America to be the way it was dreamed by its founders . '' The New York Islamic center 's leaders say they plan to build the $ 100 million , 13-story facility called Park51 -- formerly known as Cordoba House -- on property it already owns two blocks from the site of the September 11 , 2001 , terror attacks on the World Trade Center . Developer Sharif El-Gamal describes the project as an `` Islamic community center '' that would include a 500-seat performing arts center , a lecture hall , a swimming pool , a gym , a culinary school , a restaurant and a prayer space for Muslims . But some New Yorkers oppose the project , saying that an Islamic center near the site of the attack by Islamic extremists that killed more than 2,700 people is a painful affront . A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released August 11 showed nationwide opposition to the proposed facility at 68 percent . The controversy swirling around the proposed center has pitted survivors and families of September 11 victims against each other . Current New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is for it , but a past mayor , Rudy Giuliani is against . Radio talk shows are abuzz with the topic and blogs have been filled with venomous comments about Muslims . A new Time magazine cover story on the topic highlights how the controversy has brought new scrutiny to other examples of anti-Muslim protests happening around the country . It also discusses a new poll that shows that a growing number of Americans believe President Barack Obama is Muslim . The poll was taken before Obama voiced support for the Islamic center . `` The rhetoric against Muslim Americans -- namely , that they are a suspect community , or worse , enemies of the state ; their religion is uncivilized and anti-American ; they are deceitful ; and they aim to destroy our culture and our constitution -- are replicas of attacks against other religious minorities in the past as well as current attacks against ethnic and racial minorities , '' the interfaith coalition said Friday . `` We Americans , whether Muslim or Christian , whether Jew or Hindu , whether of faith or no faith , were all attacked on 9/11 by terrorists who can only be described as criminals , '' it said . `` We oppose the exploitation of the pain and suffering of 9/11 by political opportunists . They only divide our country and undermine the principles of pluralism , religious freedom , and security by fostering hate based on fear . ''
A coalition of Christian , Jewish and Muslim leaders urge Americans to rise above the shouting match . This ` ` breaks the heart of America , '' says a Unitarian Universalist minister . Opponents say the new mosque is an apology to the victims of 9/11 . Nationwide opposition to the proposed New York Islamic center is 80 % .