Flowers and good wishes shower Lynnwood mosque

By Warren Cornwall

Herald Writer

LYNNWOOD — On Tuesday, the messages were of hate and anger.

But by Thursday, the cards, flowers, phone calls and visits that poured in to the Dar Alarqam Mosque in Lynnwood were ones of support, sorrow and solidarity.

"We came down to give our apologies for the response they have gotten," said Amy Dennis of Lynnwood, who delivered a card to the mosque Thursday afternoon with her 10-year-old son Devon. "We know that they felt the pain that we are feeling."

The Dennises were part of a steady stream of people seeking to metaphorically wipe away the black paint splattered on the mosque’s sign and the menacing phone calls that came shortly after Tuesday’s terrorist attacks on the East Coast.

Nasser, a member of the mosque’s board, had one word to describe how the community response had made him feel: "Relieved."

"This is what we really expected from American people," he said.

Still, there remains a fear of harassment or attacks from people angered by the terrorism and by mounting speculation that Islamic extremists were behind it.

Nasser

Nasser asked that his last name not be published, worried that he could be targeted. Attendance at evening prayer services has been half of normal since Tuesday. The gatherings are attended only by men, not the women and children who also usually come, Nasser said. Some families have urged mosque leaders to cancel weekend activities for children.

"Maybe some are staying home for fear of something," he said.

As news of anti-Arab or anti-Muslim incidents surfaced here and around the nation, local and national leaders have urged American’s not to direct their outrage toward Arab-Americans and Muslims.

"Our nation must be mindful that there are thousands of Arab-Americans who live in New York City who love their flag just as much as the three of us do. And we must be mindful that as we seek to win the war, that we treat Arab-Americans and Muslims with the respect they deserve," President George Bush said during a televised phone conversation with New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and New York Gov. George Pataki.

Lynnwood Mayor Tina Roberts-Martinez welcomed the support that came to the mosque.

"I think it shows that they have community support," she said.

No further incidents at the mosque have been reported to police, Roberts-Martinez said.

Elsewhere in the country, a rash of violence, threats and vandalism were reported.

Up to six shots were fired at an Islamic center in Irving, a Dallas suburb. No one was hurt. The door of a mosque in San Francisco was splattered with blood. Islamic centers in different cities were spray painted with threats. An Islamic bookstore in Alexandria, Va., a Washington suburb, had two bricks thrown through a window, with angry messages tied to them.

Muslim and Arab-American leaders, meanwhile denounced the terrorist attacks, welcomed the federal response to the targeting of their communities and promoted the charitable efforts of Muslims.

"We’re feeling very good that people are taking this so seriously," James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, said following a meeting with Justice Department and FBI officials about the discrimination.

In Lynnwood, Nasser said mosque leaders were trying to a find a nurse who could take blood donations from worshippers gathered for services today.

"We are all in the same boat," he said. "We are Americans, too.

Well-wishers arriving at the mosque echoed that.

"We think we need some unity right now, and we’re their neighbors," said Cindy Burch, the activity coordinator of a nearby housing complex.

The card and chrysanthemums she delivered joined a growing pile of flowers and cards in the mosque’s hallway.

Nasser said the mosque voice mail was filled with more than 100 messages of support from people Thursday. Others have come offering money to help pay for repairs to the damaged sign.

He said an unblemished sign would be erected outside the north Lynnwood mosque within a week.

"We’re going to fix it," he said.

Herald news services contributed to this report.

You can call Herald Writer Warren Cornwall at 425-339-3463 or send e-mail to cornwall@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.