Mailer about proposed mosque in Mukilteo draws scrutiny

MUKILTEO — Many residents have opened their mailboxes over the weekend to find an anonymous postcard alerting them to plans for construction of a mosque.

Plans for the mosque, the Islamic Center of Mukilteo, have been under way for several years and are now being reviewed by the city’s planning department.

The mailing has come under scrutiny for not including the name of an individual or group that sent it out.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“If you would like to receive notifications about the mosque as information becomes available, send an e-mail to mukilteostaysafe@gmail.com,” it says.

An email request by The Herald to contact the individual or group was not answered.

It also includes the phone number for city hall “if you have concerns, questions or want to view the application.”

Glen Pickus, the city’s planning manager, said he didn’t know of any other planning application that has triggered a citywide mailing by an individual or noncity organization.

Mohammed Riaz Khan, one of the supporters of the mosque, said he received one of the postcards at his home over the weekend. “We expected it,” he said of opposition to the project.

Khan said he and others supporting the opening of the mosque are following city code and “the law of the land.”

If people have questions, “we can answer them,” he said. “I know there are only a few people against it.”

He said some neighbors stopped by his home Monday morning. “I’m getting a lot of support,” Khan said. He said they were unhappy with the mailing asking, “What’s going on?”

Khan said there are no plans for an outdoor sound system to broadcast a call to prayer.

He said he hopes construction on the mosque can start soon. “We’ll clear up the doubts,” Khan said.

Khan’s support of the project is so well known locally that when he ran for City Council last year, some voters greeted him by saying: “Hey, you’re the mosque guy.”

Last year, Khan and mosque backers organized a Community Day at Harbour Pointe Middle School to bring together people of all faiths and provide opportunities to tour the site of the planned mosque.

Plans submitted to the city call for a 3,796-square-foot, two-story building at 3920 Harbour Point Blvd. with space for a prayer area, multi-purpose room, two small offices, a kitchen, bathrooms and two classrooms, Pickus said.

The city is waiting for the group to submit a revised wetland report on the property, Pickus said. If the project proceeds, a public hearing will be scheduled to discuss the wetland issue, he said.

Pickus said he had received “numerous calls” Monday about the issue.

Myron Travis, a crime prevention officer with the city’s police department, said that whoever sent out information about the project was within their constitutional rights. “It’s nothing we’re investigating at this time,” he said.

Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said it’s not unusual for people to be passionate about development proposals. “This is a normal land use development proposal,” she said. “There is an opportunity for feedback on the potential impact to wetlands on the site.”

Bob Champion, City Council president, said based on conversations with residents, opposition to the mosque is limited. Backers of the mosque “have every right to move forward and practice the religion they believe in,” he said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@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

Everett Historic Theater owner Curtis Shriner inside the theater on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Historic Everett Theatre sale on horizon, future uncertain

With expected new ownership, events for July and August will be canceled. The schedule for the fall and beyond is unclear.

Contributed photo from Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works contractor crews have begun their summer 2016 paving work on 13 miles of roadway, primarily in the Monroe and Stanwood areas. This photo is an example of paving work from a previous summer. A new layer of asphalt is put down over the old.
Snohomish County plans to resurface about 76 miles of roads this summer

EVERETT – As part of its annual road maintenance and preservation program,… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Smoke from the Bolt Creek fire silhouettes a mountain ridge and trees just outside of Index on Sept. 12, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County will host two wildfire-preparedness meetings in May

Meetings will allow community members to learn wildfire mitigation strategies and connect with a variety of local and state agencies.

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo cameras go live to curb speeding on Speedway

Starting Friday, an automated traffic camera system will cover four blocks of Mukilteo Speedway. A 30-day warning period is in place.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Here’s who filed for the primary election in Snohomish County

Positions with three or more candidates will go to voters Aug. 5 to determine final contenders for the Nov. 4 general election.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State budget, legislation could help vacant Lynnwood Crisis Care Center

The two-year operating budget allocates $15 million to crisis centers. Another bill would streamline Medicaid contract negotiations.

Snohomish County 911 Executive Director Kurt Mills talks about the improvements made in the new call center space during a tour of the building on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New 911 center in Everett built to survive disaster

The $67.5 million facility brings all emergency staff under one roof with seismic upgrades, wellness features and space to expand.

Students, educators speak out against Early Learning Center closure

Public commenters criticized Everett Community College for its handling of the closure. The board backed the move, citing the center’s lack of funding.

A ferry passes by as Everett Fire Department, Everett Police and the U.S. Coast Guard conduct a water rescue for a sinking boat in Possession Sound off of Howarth Park on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boat sinks in Possession Sound near Howarth Park

A good Samaritan rescued one person. Crews continued a search for three others.

Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature on the the 1,367 page document outlining the state’s 2025 operating budget. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Ferguson signs budget boosting Washington state spending and taxes

The governor used his veto pen sparingly, to the delight of Democrats and the disappointment of Republicans.

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.