The American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic burning to the ground of a mosque early Monday morning in Joplin, Missouri. ASMA is reaching out to its friends and supporters of all faiths to donate generously for the rebuilding of the mosque.
Though cause of the fire is not yet determined, arson is suspected. The Joplin Muslim community claims this has been only one in a series of attacks on their place of worship since being built in 2007, including a less severe act of arson only one month before this most recent incident. Thankfully, no one was injured. The FBI is currently investigating the fire, offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The incident comes during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and only a day after the senseless murder of six Sikh men and women at their place of worship in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Shocked by the disaster, mosque leader Imam Lahmuddin offered words of condolence for his community. “Since we are people of faith, we just can remember that this is a thing that happened because God let it happen, and we have to be patient, particularly in the month of Ramadan, control our emotions, our anger,” the Imam asserted. Coming to the aid of the thoroughly shaken Muslim community has been people of numerous faiths, including the South Joplin Church, which opened its doors to Muslims for Ramadan worship. No stranger to altruism itself, the mosque was recognized last year for the work of the community’s physicians after tornadoes devastated much of the region. Though many have come to the mosque’s aid, much help is still needed. The Council of Churches of the Ozarks is currently accepting financial donations on their behalf.
Donations by check, with “Joplin Islamic Community” written in the memo,
can be made payable and sent to:
Council of Churches, PO Box 3947, Springfield, MO 65808-3947
We ask that you donate what you can to help our brothers and sisters of Joplin during their time of need.