Yet again, a fiend rears its awful head. Intolerance seeded in ignorance and reaped in hate has surfaced this past year against the Islamic Center of Bothell (ICOB). Loathsome acts range from spray-paint vandalism, to the burning of an Islamic Center flag, to the destruction of Islamic books.
The mosque had scheduled informational meetings around the community. Sadly, however, fear for the safety of congregation-members forced cancellation of these amiable gatherings.
A good many residents of Snohomish and King counties have come forward, united both in denouncing the racism and in bolstering the mosque. The three Democratic members of the region’s 1st Legislative District delegation recently sent a letter to the ICOB and the people of Bothell, imploring the community to stand against such shameful attacks. State Reps. Derek Stanford and Luis Moscoso and state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe released this June 1:
“Recently, the Islamic Center of Bothell has faced repeated threats and harassment. We must speak out and show our support for members of our community when bullies try to intimidate them. It is not acceptable for a faith group in our community to be subjected to these hate crimes. We stand with the Islamic Center of Bothell in calling for an end to the harassment, and we are glad that the FBI is working to find the perpetrators.
“Our community values individual differences and religious freedom. The mission statement of the Islamic Center of Bothell includes striving “to advocate inter-faith harmony in a multicultural environment.” In the melting pot of America, this is an ideal we can all uphold. Together as neighbors, we can look out for each other and stand up against any bullies in our path.”
Note: This Bothell/Kenmore Reporter newspaper article discusses a February 2014 hate-motivated attack, and this KOMO News TV feature also reviews the incident.