It’s been the target of anti-Islamic fliers and anonymously mailed postcards, but a planned mosque in Mukilteo is finding strong support in some local faith communities. Unity in Lynnwood recently sent an encouraging letter to the mosque leader, and a Lutheran church in Mukilteo plans an event next week where people may learn about Islam.
Mohammed Riaz Khan, president of the planned Islamic Center of Mukilteo, is scheduled to speak at that event, starting at 7 p.m. May 25 at Mukilteo’s Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church.
“We will have a brief introduction to some of the key components of Islam from Dr. Paul Ingram, a retired world religion professor at Pacific Lutheran University,” said the Rev. John Beck, pastor at Pointe of Grace along with his wife, the Rev. Joan Beck. “There will be opportunities for conversation, and Mr. Khan will speak.”
Beck said Tuesday that leaders and members of his church, a worship and ministry site of Lynnwood’s Trinity Lutheran Church, intended to have the event when the mosque was further along in the planning process. “But we’ve been saddened by the vandalism, and reached out to the Muslim community,” he said.
Earlier this month, fliers with what Mukilteo police described as “anti-Islamic rhetoric” were discovered attached to a sign showing the site of the planned mosque at 3920 Harbour Pointe Blvd. A U.S. flag had also been placed nearby. The Islamic Center of Mukilteo sign was damaged, and police were investigating the incident as possible malicious harassment.
Opposition to the mosque arose in April. Peter Zieve, head of the aerospace firm Electroimpact Inc., was behind the mass mailing of an anonymous postcard drawing negative attention to the mosque. The email address on the postcard was mukilteostaysafe@gmail.com.
While some others publicly aired concerns about a mosque serving as a place for radicalization, local faith communities have been encouraging.
“We’ve had a lot of support from many churches, in Everett, Lynnwood, Snohomish, Mountlake Terrace and Marysville,” Khan said Monday. “All the pastors will be getting together this week,” the mosque leader said, adding that Zieve is invited to the May 25 event.
Richard Loren Held, spiritual director of Unity in Lynnwood, is one of many local faith leaders offering support for the mosque.
In a letter sent May 11 to Khan, Held wrote: “I am deeply embarrassed by the leveraging of scripture to support anti-Islamic rhetoric,” and added “I would encourage you to enjoy the comforting assurance that this community of great love stands with you.”
Held said Tuesday that he was asked by people in his congregation to address the mosque issue, “and I chose to heed that call.” In the letter, he also said Khan and others in the mosque community are welcome at an Interfaith service Unity is planning for 2 p.m. Sept. 11.
In the letter, Held said Unity is devoted to “a brand of Christianity which is assured enough to engage Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and Sikhs and people of no faith tradition whatsoever with curiosity, openness, deep respect, genuine friendship and warm welcome.”
Friday is Mukilteo’s deadline for public comments on plans for the two-story mosque building, which were announced in 2014 and are being reviewed by the city planning department.
“My only mission is to bring the community together,” Khan said. “We have many faiths, one vision.”
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
Learn about
Islam and mosque
Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Mukilteo has scheduled a public event for 7 p.m. May 25 to inform people about the planned mosque in Mukilteo and about Islam. Speakers include Mohammed Riaz Khan, president of the planned Islamic Center of Mukilteo, and Paul Ingram, a retired Pacific Lutheran University religion professor. Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church is at 5425 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
