Locke encourages unity

Governor presses residents to learn about Islam

By Gene Johnson

Associated Press

SEATTLE — Gov. Gary Locke on Monday visited a mosque threatened after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and promised worshippers he would push the state’s residents to learn about Islam and accept those who practice it.

"I have no intention of being the governor of a divided state," Locke said.

The night of Sept. 13, a man poured gasoline over cars parked in the lot of the Idriss Mosque, in north Seattle near Northgate, threatened two worshippers with a gun and then fired shots into the ground, prosecutors say.

A Snohomish man was arrested after speeding off in his car, which slammed into a utility pole. Patrick Michael Cunningham, 53, has pleaded innocent to federal hate-crime charges.

State arson and assault charges were dropped after a federal indictment was returned.

Since the incident, the mosque has received an outpouring of support. Neighbors and others brought thousands of flowers and for the past two weeks have been guarding the tan brick building.

Worshippers said they were overwhelmed by the gestures. The mosque presented Locke with a copy of the Koran.

"It’s very nice of him to be here," said Iqbal Saiyed, 60, who moved to the United States from Pakistan 30 years ago.

She also said she welcomed the governor’s message that learning about Islam is the best way to ensure tolerance: "There are a lot of people who don’t know about Islam."

Locke said he mailed a letter last Friday to federal Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta in which he asked Mineta to guard against discrimination by the airline industry. Some airline passengers of Arab descent say they have been removed from flights because other passengers were afraid of them.

The governor is also sending a letter to state employees. Locke, who is Protestant, asks them to invite Arab-Americans or Muslims to speak to their church, schools, clubs and businesses.

"By doing these things, we can support and learn from our fellow Americans and build a stronger sense of unity both in our state and nation," the letter reads.