|
|
December 17, 2004/Tevet 5 5765, Vol. 57, No.16
ADL decries mosque fire
DEBORAH SUSSMAN SUSSER
Associate Editor
On Dec. 7, the Al Sadiq mosque in Glendale burned to the ground.
It is unclear whether the fire was deliberately set. Regardless, the destruction has left a small Muslim community without a place to gather and worship.
As of Dec. 14, the physical investigation of the site had been concluded, but the origin of the fire was still unknown. "We cannot determine if it was deliberately set or an accident," said Carl Austerman, deputy chief in charge of the Fire Marshall's office in Glendale. Susan Herskovits, an FBI spokeswoman in Phoenix, said Dec. 14 that the agency is following the fire department's progress. "If we get any information that this is a hate crime," Herskovits said, "we'll assist."
The Arizona Anti-Defamation League issued a press release expressing sympathy and concern for those affected by the fire.
"We are concerned that, in today's climate, the possibility of foul play by anti-Muslim bigots looms large," ADL regional board chairwoman Helen Stern said. "We are hoping that a thorough investigation of this fire by law enforcement will reveal its causes, and if found to be deliberately set, the perpetrators brought to justice."
Over the weekend, the Arizona Interfaith Movement organized a prayer time in support of the Glendale congre- gation, at the site of the Al Sadiq mosque. Paul Eppinger, of the AIFM, presented the congregation with a check for $100 and invited the 50 or so people in attendance to form a prayer circle. Eppinger explained that although the AIFM wasn't financially able to contribute a substantial amount to the rebuilding, the group wanted to let the congregants know that they weren't alone. The $100 was "more symbolic than anything else," he said. "It's to say, 'We're with you.'"
|
|
