Mosque vandalized near Seattle, Washington

November 24, 2016

A mosque in, , US, was vandalized in the early hours of Monday morning.

A granite sign in front of the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) was apparently smashed with a sledgehammer, breaking away portions of the top of the sign, causing significant cracks in a corner of the approximately five foot tall, six foot wide carved stone placard that sits on the corner of NE 67th Court and 176th Avenue NE, about 11 (18 ) from downtown, and two miles (three kilometers) from the main campus of. MAPS has over 5,000 members and is the largest mosque in the state of Washington.

MAPS President Mahmood Khadeer said they had a bomb threat after the June nightclub shooting, but this is the first time the mosque has been vandalized. Several threats to worshipers were later called in to Redmond Police. Khadeer said none of the center's activities would be curtailed, and the Wednesday Thanksgiving dinner celebration would be held as planned. The mosque is to add armed guards and security cameras and, until further notice, only the front door would be opened.

Redmond Mayor John Marchione said "Acts like this aren't representative of the Redmond community, and will not be tolerated." US  said the "hateful act of vandalism doesn't reflect the inclusive values of the  and our country", and "We must reject these actions in no uncertain terms, and stand united against hate."