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Gathering set for Islamic Center of Olympia after center targeted by explosive, group says

The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released an image Thursday night showing the flash of the explosion outside the Islamic Center of Olympia on Nov. 23.
The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations released an image Thursday night showing the flash of the explosion outside the Islamic Center of Olympia on Nov. 23. Courtesy

A gathering of support for the Islamic Center of Olympia is set for Friday morning after the center was allegedly targeted by an explosive last week, a statewide group announced.

According to a news release from the Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, security camera footage shows someone in a car dropping an explosive device in front of the center the evening of Nov. 23.

The device exploded and could be heard from people living two miles away, according to the release.

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the scene, but no persons or property were harmed. The center could not immediately be reached Thursday afternoon.

CAIR Washington is partnering with Interfaith Works and the American Muslim Empowerment Network in an act of solidarity with the Islamic Center of Olympia. The groups are calling for a peaceful gathering in front of the center before and during prayers on Dec. 3.

The gathering will begin at 11:45 a.m. and last through the midday service until about 1 p.m. There may be a brief meet and greet in the community hall of the center afterward.

The gathering is open to community members, clergy, elected officials and organizational leaders, according to the release.

The Islamic Center of Olympia is at 4324 20th Lane NE, Olympia, WA 98516.

This story was originally published December 2, 2021 at 3:19 PM.

Ty Vinson
The Olympian
Ty Vinson covers the City of Olympia and keeps tabs on Tumwater and other communities in Thurston County. He joined The Olympian in 2021. Before that, he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism at Indiana University. In college, he worked as an intern at the Northwest Indiana Times, the Oregonian and the Arizona Republic as a Pulliam Fellow. Support my work with a digital subscription
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