In response to severe threats posted online earlier in the week, Councilmember Debora Juarez met with Idris Mosque board member Hisham Farajallah Thursday and issued a message in support of Seattle’s Muslim community.
“The Idris Mosque has been an important Northgate institution for over 35 years. Threats and hate speech against upstanding members of our community must be met with stronger demonstrations of solidarity and compassion.
“While it may be difficult for most Seattleites to imagine being targeted simply for exercising their First Amendment right to freedom of religion, this is not the first, second, or even the third time members of this mosque have faced violence. Speaking out against this bigotry and ignorance is everybody’s responsibility.”
King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski joined Councilmember Juarez on a tour of the mosque led by Mr. Farajallah. Over the course of the tour, Mr. Farajallah spoke on the history of the mosque, the broad ethnic and cultural diversity of its membership, and the need to correct many broadly-held misconceptions regarding the Islamic faith.
Seattle Police have increased their patrols of the area in response to the serious threats posted online. Councilmember Juarez will also join the Idris Mosque congregation for iftar on Tuesday, June 28.
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