Eastside News

Bellevue mosque rebuilds after arsons

BELLEVUE, Wash. — After two arsons in two years a Bellevue mosque is ready to rebuild. The design of the Islamic Center of Eastside have been approved by the City of Bellevue and a groundbreaking is planned for August.

>> RELATED: Police: Second blaze at Bellevue mosque not a hate crime

Rebuilding in the same place at 148th Avenue NE and Main Street in Bellevue is important to the Muslim community and especially Farida Hakim, 75. Hakim founded the mosque with her husband and other members of the Muslim community in 1996.

In January 2017 a homeless man with mental health issues set the building on fire. In March 2018, a teenager who was hanging out in the already damaged building, set it on fire a second time.

Instead of looking at the past, Hakim is focused on the future and eager to include a thank you to the community in the new mosque. She’s working on plaque.

“The plaque would simply read ‘All believers are a part of a building, each part supporting the other’ and that’s the sign we’re hoping to get to show a thank you to our community members,” said Hakim on Friday. She says the mosque will allow them to continue serving the community.

“The continuity of the hope and blessings of everyone. We’re not just here for ourselves we’re here for everyone as a community, support that we can get back and be that kind of place where people are welcome.”

The design is approved. They are still working with the contractor to finalize the plans. They say it is possible the mosque could be completed by March 2020.

>> RELATED: Man suspected in Bellevue arson had run-in at mosque last summer

>> RELATED: Teen charged with setting fire at Bellevue mosque pleads not guilty

See previous coverage of Bellevue mosque arsons here

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