The controversial mosque and Islamic community center near Ground Zero launched a public fund-raising drive yesterday in a bid to open its doors to the public with an art exhibit that would debut just 10 days after the Sept. 11 anniversary, The Post has learned.

Park51 is using the social media Web site Kickstarter.com to help raise $70,000 to convert 4,000 square feet of space inside its building at 41 Park Place into a gallery to showcase the work of Brooklyn artist Danny Goldfield.

The group plans to open the three-month exhibit on Sept. 21, which the United Nations has declared the International Day of Peace. The exhibit would feature portraits of the city’s immigrant kids representing at least 171 different countries.

“NYChildren Exhibit: Let’s open Park51’s doors to the World!” the fund-raising solicitation says. By early last night, Park51 had raised $867 from 14 donors, according to Kickstarter.

“While our critics know us as the Ground Zero Mosque, we are the Park51 Community Center,” Park51 says in the appeal. “This exhibition is about finding the courage to meet and get to know neighbors to build trust and friendship.”

But 9/11 families opposed to the Islamic center near Ground Zero complained that the group has dug in its heels to remain at the current site rather than relocate farther away from what they consider hallowed ground.

“They talk about being inclusive. They haven’t been inclusive with the 9/11 families,” said James Riches, a retired FDNY deputy chief whose firefighter son, James Jr., died at Ground Zero.