MUKILTEO — After two months of controversy over a proposed mosque here, more than 200 people turned out Wednesday evening to hear more information about the place of worship, and about Islam.
Mohammed Riaz Khan, president of the group backing the proposed Islamic Center of Mukilteo, thanked the audience for coming to the event.
“Tonight is a wonderful night,” he said, with a goal of building bridges. He said that if anyone had questions or issues about mosque, “come to me.”
An overview of the Muslim faith was provided by Paul Ingram, an emeritus professor or religion at Pacific Lutheran University.
The meeting took place at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church in Harbour Pointe, with the audience filling the sanctuary.
Debra Mazick, of Mukilteo, said she came to the meeting because she’s interested in learning more about the mosque. “I’m supportive of it,” she said. “It’s exciting to have a new neighbor.”
Ann S. Brice, also of Mukilteo, said she came because she has been disturbed by events, such as vandalism to a sign on the planned site of the mosque.
Barbara Greco, from Lake Forest Park, said she attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, a sister church of Pointe of Grace. “We’re here in unity,” she said.
Controversy over the mosque was triggered by an anonymous postcard sent to Mukilteo homes and businesses calling attention to plans for the mosque. No name or group was identified as sending the mailer. Instead, there was simply the email: mukilteostaysafe@gmail.com.
The mailing was later tied to Peter Zieve, president of Electroimpact Inc., one of the city’s largest businesses and a globally prominent aerospace company. Zieve now says he plans a second mailing, this time one with an apology.
In an email, Zieve said that he’s come to understand how his earlier actions could have made Mukilteo a less safe place for Muslim people.
Zieve wrote that his actions “have offended and hurt my neighbors and their families, for that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize for those actions, in particular to my Muslim neighbors.”
He will make no further effort to oppose construction of the mosque, he wrote. Zieve sent out his statement ahead of the meeting at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church.
Khan called last month for Zieve to mail out a postcard of apology.
Zieve’s decision to send out a second postcard follows a meeting last week with Mukilteo-area Muslim families and people involved with interfaith activities. It was attended by Zieve and Ben Hempstead, Electroimpact’s chief of staff.
In his email about the meeting, Zieve says in part: “I have been given the opportunity to think about how my comments could play into the hands of people who would engage in hate speech.”
During last week’s meeting with community members, Zieve said he “heard from my neighbors that anti-Muslim hate speech is not only dangerous because of the hate crimes it could incite against Muslim families, but also because of the potential of sending a dangerous message to our children that they are not fully American and not fully entitled to the American Dream.”
The Islamic Center of Mukilteo said it welcomed Zieve’s statement.
Earlier this month, fliers with the words “Ban Islam from America” were posted on the site of the proposed mosque site. Police investigated but no arrests have been made.
Plans submitted to Mukilteo’s planning department call for a 3,796-square-foot, two-story building at 3920 Harbour Pointe Blvd. with space for a prayer area, multi-purpose room, two small offices, a kitchen, bathrooms and two classrooms.
In an interview, Khan said that he has received many requests from the community about information regarding next steps for the mosque.
The city has submitted some questions about the building and its site, he said. Khan said he hopes that construction can begin in the early fall.
The mosque, which will follow the Sunni tradition of Islam, is still looking for its religious leader, or imam, he said.
Khan acknowledged that some people have raised concerns about possible radicalism at the mosque.
“First of all, we’re against radicals,” he said. “We’re against terrorism.” The mosque will be “purely a family-oriented center just for praying and worshipping,” he said.
Khan works as an engineer for the Boeing Co., where his projects have included work on the U.S. Air Force tanker. He ran for Mukilteo City Council last year. He recently filed paperwork seeking election to the Legislature.
The Everett-based Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington has announced two steps it hopes will help reduce fears and increase understanding of Islam.
They have planned an event from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mukilteo City Hall that will include sharing sacred and writings, prayer and meditations from multiple faiths.
The group also is planning interfaith supper conversations.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com
Peter Zieve’s statement on proposed Mukilteo mosque
Peter Zieve’s statement on his action regarding the planned Islamic Center of Mukilteo:
On Wednesday, May 18, 2016, I met at Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church with Mukilteo-area Muslim families, along with citizens of other faiths. I had an opportunity to hear their stories and to learn about their lives and contributions, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future of their children.
They shared with me that anti-Muslim hate crimes nationwide are at record high levels. Even locally, in late March, 2016, a young American Muslim girl wearing a headscarf was attacked while walking on the sidewalk in the Lynnwood area. The man who attacked her yelled anti-Muslim slurs and left her bleeding and bruised.
I also learned that American Muslims want the same opportunities as all Americans – to build better futures for their families and children. American Muslims share our country’s strong family values. American Muslims want to succeed in the traditional American way – by working hard and supporting their families. Muslim children have the right to the same aspirations and dreams of every other young American regardless of faith. More than 10,000 American Muslims serve honorably in our nation’s armed forces, according to the U.S. Defense Department. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
I have been given the opportunity to think about how my comments could play into the hands of people who would engage in hate speech. At the meeting with community members at Pointe of Grace, I heard from my neighbors that anti-Muslim hate speech is not only dangerous because of the hate crimes it could incite against Muslim families, but also because of the potential of sending a dangerous message to our children that they are not fully American and not fully entitled to the American Dream.
I was concerned to hear this and saddened to hear that my actions in sending a postcard to Mukilteo residents raising concerns about the building of a mosque have offended and hurt my neighbors and their families, for that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize for those actions, in particular to my Muslim neighbors. They can be assured that I will make no further efforts to oppose construction of the proposed mosque. I hope to continue the dialogue that began at the Pointe of Grace Lutheran Church.
Sincerely,
Peter Zieve
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