News Release

LDS church provides place for displaced Muslim community to pray

 

After arson recently destroyed a Muslim community's mosque in Bellevue, Wash., a neighboring LDS church opened its doors, reports KOMO 4 TV in Seattle. The Bellevue Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) offered use of a large room that was formerly a classroom so members of the Islamic Center of Eastside could have a place to pray until they find a new space.

“It’s really very simple,” Church Director of Public Affairs Gordon Wilson told KOMO 4 TV. “It’s just neighbors helping neighbors. Jesus said, ‘Love your neighbor.’ They’re right next door. How can it be more obvious than that?”

                         

Isaac Wayne Wilson, 37, a homeless man who has been arrested 50 times in Washington, was charged with second-degree arson of the mosque Tuesday, according to The Seattle Times. No one was injured in the fire. "Police have said there’s no indication that the fire was a hate crime or related to terrorism," according to The Seattle Times. "Wilson has previously been charged in connection with a July altercation at the mosque."

[Ginny Romney]
Ginny Romney is a writer for DeseretNews.com
 

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