One of the leaders of the effort to build an Islamic community center near the World Trade Center says someone threatened to kill him during the furor over the project.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf made the comment Wednesday at an annual pre-Ramadan conference held by the NYPD.
Rauf said he had to change homes, and praised the department's help.
He said that despite criticism over NYPD surveillance of Muslims, he believes the department is doing a good job.
Rauf helped come up with the idea for the center. He served as its public face, promoting it amid fierce controversy over its location.
He now has a reduced role in the project. He says it is still moving forward but nothing has yet been built.
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.
