Opinion

Prayers at Ground Zero

Two clergymen offered prayers at President Obama’s inauguration.

Congress begins its sessions with entreaties to the Almighty,

So does the Legislature in Albany.

Even Mayor Bloomberg has had imams, priests and rabbis at key ceremonies.

So at first glance it seems a bit more than odd that the mayor is denying religious leaders a role at the ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

But an aide argues that a speaking role for clergy would raise logistical problems: The ceremony — which already runs a long time — would grow even more drawn out.

And Bloomberg has always focused the event on the families of those who perished, with the reading of each name predominant. His goal: to create a solemn aura via a “minimalist” format that allows for few speakers, aside from those reading.

Even brief words from clergy, the aide says, could detract from that.

Besides, he wondered, which religion — or religions — would get to be represented? Wouldn’t those denied a spot be offended?

And therein lies the real problem.

Given the circumstances, the presence of clergy of one faith tradition — Islam — almost certainly would spark controversy, which the city would clearly like to avoid.

But it can’t fairly be avoided.

It’s an undeniable fact that the 9/11 attacks were planned and carried out by fanatics in service of an extreme form of Islam. They were motivated, too, by hatred of those who embrace other religions, or none at all — as Americans are wont to do.

So if the attacks weren’t secular events, wouldn’t an official secularization of the 10th anniversary ceremony be a moral victory for the perpetrators?

Besides, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, many Americans sought comfort in religion. Yankee Stadium hosted an interfaith ceremony less than two weeks later.

Just as first responders and the military figured prominently in America’s response, so did clergy. That’s undeniable.

It makes scant sense for a 10th-year anniversary ceremony to obscure those facts by excluding them.

That the format shunned religious leaders and prayer in the past is hardly grounds to do so yet again: If it was a misguided course then, it’s worse now.

Bottom line: Officials planning major events involving clergy face similar challenges all the time.

And manage to overcome them.

Indeed, as Bloomberg himself has done for events like his own inauguration.

Frankly, it’s hard to see any reasonable cause to bar, say, an opening invocation.

It’s not too late for Bloomberg to change his mind.

Here’s hoping he does.