As Muslims here in the U.S. and around the world prepare to gather and celebrate Eid al-Adha, with greetings of Eid Mubarak, the congregation of the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce in Florida is now homeless, due to arson.
Not a lot of details yet — here is what is being reported:
Fire at Islamic Center of Fort Pierce ruled as arson
St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office investigating fire at Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, ruled arson
FORT PIERCE, Fla. - ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. - Investigators said an overnight fire was intentionally set at the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce, the same mosque attended by Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said 911 received a call at 12:31 a.m. that the place of worship was on fire.
The mosque has made national headlines because it served as the place of worship of Orlando nightclub shooter Omar Mateen.
My prayers go out to the congregation. Here’s hoping the police capture the perpetrator swiftly.
I hope there is a public outcry and that people of good will post messages of support and send contributions.
I am sitting here thinking about hate — and its opposite. Of how loving the congregation of Mother Emanuel Church have been. No one has targeted the Lutheran church Dylan Roof attended.
I’m thinking of the decades long history of the burning, and bombing of black churches.
I’m thinking of the rise of Trump-fueled Islamophobia in the U.S.
People of faith, and people not of faith should unite, and speak out against hate — whatever form it takes.
Silence =Death.
Update: Am including some of the tweets from local television:
xAccused mosque arsonist seen leaving on a motorcycle, pictured here. Tips call 1-800-273-8477 @WPTV@Fox29WFLXpic.twitter.com/69JBT1K08B
— Andrew Ruiz WPTV (@AndrewNRuiz) September 12, 2016 xNeighbor captures video of mosque arson. Complete coverage starting at 4. @TheNowSoFla@WPTVpic.twitter.com/P10JL9cRFl
— Jon Shainman (@JonShainman) September 12, 2016 xNEW DETAILS from @stluciesheriff FBI called in to help with investigation of Mosque fire. @Fox29WFLX@wptvpic.twitter.com/XsNBIGSVfy
— Andrew Ruiz WPTV (@AndrewNRuiz) September 12, 2016