Breaking his silence on a political tempest that has left the United States divided, President Barack Obama on Friday took a strong stand in favor of building a mosque near the site where Muslim terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Obama framed the issue as one of religious freedom in a speech at a White House dinner celebrating Ramadan.

According to a White House transcript, Obama said that Muslims “have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in Lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”

The uproar over the proposed mosque has rekindled a debate over religious tolerance in a post-Sept. 11 society. Some relatives of Sept. 11 victims have come out against the mosque, as have prominent politicians.

(Thanks to Los Angeles Times and Pete Souza)