Mosque in Redmond, Wash., attacked second time

Militant/Edwin Fruit

REDMOND, Wash. — For the second time in a month, a sign outside the Muslim Association of Puget Sound here was attacked Dec. 16. Holding up damaged sign are, from left, Aneelah Afzali, executive director of the American Muslim Empowerment Network of MAPS; Sulieman Abdulkeni, MAPS librarian; and Abduselam Ibrahim, MAPS operating manager.

The attack was captured by security cameras, showing someone taking an axe to the sign, splitting it in half and hacking holes in it.

The Socialist Workers Party visited the mosque Dec. 19, as party members did after the first attack Nov. 21, to show solidarity and pledge ongoing support.

“We call for the arrest, prosecution and jailing of all those responsible,” Mary Martin, newly announced SWP candidate for mayor of Seattle, said in a statement released to the press across the state Dec. 24. “We urge all working people and those in the labor movement to speak out against these acts. We defend the right to worship for people of all religions.”

Afzali thanked the SWP delegation for their solidarity. “Scapegoating Muslims only helps to divide working people,” she said. “And we’re glad you came to show support.”

— EDWIN FRUIT