The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bellevue, Washington, has opened its doors to their Muslim neighbors, Islamic Center of the Eastside (ICOE) community, after their mosque was destroyed by arson recently.
The two religious groups have been neighbors for more than 20 years. “It has always been a respectful and friendly relationship going both ways, and throughout that time, both communities have done what good neighbors do,” said Greg Mackay, president of the Bellevue Washington Stake. “We treat each other with kindness, help each other when the opportunity presents itself and communicate effectively so that there continues to be a mutual spirit of harmony and good will,” he continued.
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The Church has provided access to a large room for ICOE to use for its prayer service five times per day, Monday through Saturday, and access to the building’s cultural hall (large multiple-use room) for a weekly prayer service on Fridays. The space has been allocated to the ICOE until a permanent interim solution is found.
Latter-day Saints and the Muslims have a long history of cooperation. In the past, the Church hosted a joint dinner and program for the Mormon and Muslim women, and the mosque hosted public open houses, which Church members have attended. In December, ICOE members delivered flowers, which were displayed on the pulpit during the Church's Christmas Sunday services.
After the mosque was destroyed by fire, the Church hung a welcome sign on the door, along with messages from members to their neighbors; the ICOE community brought food to share with the Mormons as a sincere expression of gratitude. Many members of the Church have volunteered to sacrifice time each day to open the building for each service and to be present to make sure the ICOE community is not disturbed.
Police have arrested a suspect in the arson of the mosque.
Read about the fire from the Christian Post: