blocks from ground zero and has coexisted peacefully in the in tribeca neighborhood for 23 years. in 1997, he founded the nonprofit american society for muslim advancement. its mission described on its website as strengthening an authentic expression of islam based on cultural and religious harmony through interfaith collaboration, yut and women s empowerment. several years later, rauf founded the cordoba institute to improve relations between the muslim world and the west, writing how american muslims can help bring the divide. the state department noticed, sending him as a cultural ambassador on four trips to the middle east. most recently this summer. they try to get people who reflect the best aspects of