AP sets down the rules on the lower Manhattan mosque

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Associated Press editor Tom Kent sent out a memo late last week with new guidance on how -- under AP Style -- reporters should refer to the mosque proposed for lower Manhattan.

(You can read the memo here and Kent's discussion of the memo on Facebook.)

Bottom line: It is NOT the "ground zero mosque" and the site under question has been used for prayers for some time already.

The site of the proposed Islamic center and mosque is not at ground zero, but two blocks away in a busy commercial area. We should continue to say it’s “near” ground zero, or two blocks away.

Kent added:

It may be useful in some stories to note that Muslim prayer services have been held since 2009 in the building that the new project will replace. The proposal is to create a new, larger Islamic community center that would include a mosque, a swimming pool, gym, auditorium and other facilities.

In his Facebook discussion, Kent said:

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