On Sunday, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf appeared on ABC’s This Week in one of his first broadcast interviews since the protests began over the Islamic cultural center that he wants to build in Lower Manhattan. During the interview, Imam Rauf said he does not plan on moving the location of the center.

Imam Rauf: “My major concern with moving it is that the headline in the Muslim world will be “Islam is under attack in America.” This will strengthen the radicals in the Muslim world, help their recruitment. This will put our people — our soldiers, our troops, our embassies, our citizens — under attack in the Muslim world. And we have expanded and given — and fueled terrorism.”

Imam Rauf also told ABC that Islamophobia is on the rise in the country.

Imam Rauf: “The fact of the matter is, A, this has been used for political purposes. And there’s growing Islamophobia in this country. How else would you describe the fact that mosques around the country are now being attacked? We are Americans, too. We are treated and talked about today as if American Muslims are not Americans. We are Americans. We are doctors. We are investment bankers. We are taxi drivers. We are storekeepers. We are lawyers. We are part of the fabric of America.”