Meeting hopes to calm concerns over Mukilteo mosque

MUKILTEO — For the past two months, the city has been embroiled in controversy over plans for construction of a mosque, the Islamic Center of Mukilteo.

It began with the citywide mailing in April of an anonymous postcard telling of plans for the mosque with the contact email: Mukilteostaysafe@gmail.com. The mailing was later tied to Peter Zieve, president and owner of Electroimpact Inc., an aerospace firm that’s one of the city’s biggest employers.

Earlier this month, flyers with the words “Ban Islam from America” were posted at 3920 Harbour Pointe Blvd., the site of the planned mosque. A U.S. flag was placed nearby.

In response to these events, a public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church. It’s a time when people can learn more about Islam as well as a chance to ask Mohammed Riaz Khan, mosque president, questions about the project.

John Beck and his wife, Joan Beck, are co-pastors at the Mukilteo church where the meeting will take place. John Beck said he began getting questions from church members soon after they received the postcard about the mosque. A number of parishioners said, “We want to do something; how can we help?” he said.

Khan suggested it was time for a community meeting on the mosque and the Pointe of Grace agreed to act as host.

“It’s all about relationships — Christians and Muslims will take the next step in meeting one another and hear one another’s stories,” John Beck said.

Wednesday’s event will be moderated by the Rev. Terry Kyllo, who leads St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Marysville, but also has ties to the Lutheran Church.

Kyllo has helped organize nine “Love in a Time of Fear” events in the Puget Sound region.

The events, held on behalf of Lutherans and Episcopalians, had a goal of bringing greater understanding between Muslims and Christians. The nine events were held in cities from Ferndale to Des Moines, attended by 1,800 people.

“I’m hoping to continue to do this work to build bridges between Muslims and Christians,” Kyllo said. “We’ve only just begun.”

Paul Ingram, an emeritus professor of religion at Pacific Lutheran University, will give an overview of the Muslim faith. H.I. Syed Abbas Ayleya, of Lynnwood’s Nainab Center of Greater Seattle, a Muslim mosque, also will participate in the meeting.

Khan said that the ongoing controversy over the mosque has created tensions in the city. Muslim families have become afraid, he said. Some no longer jog or walk along city streets. Some may talk about their fears at Wednesday’s meeting, he said.

Khan, a Boeing engineer who ran for city council last year, said he is usually greeted warmly in public. “I’m proud to live in Mukilteo,” he said.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Khan said he expects to provide a timeline for construction of the mosque, which he said he hopes can begin in the fall.

Wednesday’s meeting will provide people an opportunity for more information on the project, he said.

“If anyone has questions, concerns, this is a good time to ask,” Khan said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.

A meeting where people can learn more about the planned Islamic Center of Mukilteo as well as the Muslim faith is scheduled at 7 p.m. May 25 at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church, 5425 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo. Speakers include Mohammed Riaz Khan, president of the planned mosque and Paul Ingram, an emeritus Pacific Lutheran University religion professor. The meeting will include a question-and-answer session on the mosque.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.