Before
After
Dec 10, 2008
For days after the mosque was defamed and set ablaze, Daoud Abudiab and other members picked through the charred rubble, hoping to save what few items were still recognizable.
“Unfortunately, we were not able to salvage any of that,” he told News 2.
They bought a new building in July, but it needed a lot of work and $45,000 in donations was spent on much needed renovations.
“It’s a good thing that we have been busy trying to get [the new] place renovated and ready and I think it took our mind off what happened,” Abudiab continued.
He said although months have passed, he can’t help but drive by the old lot where 10 years of worship burned to the ground in a thoughtless act of hate.
“I don’t think I was ever prepared to deal with the emotions,” Abudiab said. “From being worried about the safety of the members and my wife and my kids.”
While the new building isn’t the same as the old, Abudiab hopes their 30 members can build new memories and new beginnings together and are inviting the community to celebrate with them Saturday.
“This place will always be open, as long as we have a building for everyone to walk in and join us,” Abudiab said.
Two of the three men accused in the bombing pleaded guilty in federal court last month.
Jonathan Stone and Michael Golden admitted to setting fire to the building in order to entry into a white supremacist group.
Both men face 30 years in prison.
A third suspect, Eric Baker, is still in federal custody awaiting trial.
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