Press Conference Statement from MAYF on Hit-and-Run Attack on March 7, 2022

The Muslim American Youth Foundation (MAYF) held a press conference this morning to condemn the horrible attack.

A silver vehicle smashed through the glass of the prayer area of the MAYF Community Center building on March 7, 2022, around 9am. The Muslim community along with leaders of different faith backgrounds, elected officials, and law enforcement gathered in a strong showing of support and solidarity for MAYF and the Muslim community in Burien, WA. Speakers at the press conference exhibited resilience, strength, unity, and affirmed that an attack on members of its community is an attack on all of us at large and emphasized that instances of hate or violence will be used to cultivate love and solidarity.  

At the time of the incident, the Executive Director and Imam of MAYF Center, Dr. Yahya Suufi, was fortunately the only individual inside the facility. He heard a loud crash that shocked him. Given the many prior attacks on Islamic centers both locally and nationally, Imam Suufi took necessary precautions. After making sure there was no imminent threat and patrolling the entirety of the facility, he contacted the necessary authorities. The vehicle and the driver in question did not remain at the scene and left the remains of a bumper and a hubcap behind. 

We as a community take this incident very seriously, as the area hit by the vehicle is the sole place of worship within the MAYF facility. If people had been praying in that prayer space, it could have resulted in significant bodily harm or even potentially a fatality. Currently, we are not making any assumptions about whether this is a hate crime or what were the motivations of the driver. However, we recognize that this is the fourth attack on Islamic centers in Western Washington in just the last five months. The MAYF facility has been in existence for less than a year, and already, has experienced this tragic event. Unfortunately, islamophobia is alive and present among us. Therefore, we are asking law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident, including any bias motivations.  

At the press conference, the community at large including MAYF and Muslim community members, leaders of different faith traditions, elected officials and staff from federal, state, city and county offices, and law enforcement stood in solidarity to condemn the attack and any attack on places of worship. We express our strong appreciation to every individual who showed up on such a short notice to stand with us. 

The Muslim American Youth Foundation established MAYF Center in 2021 as a safe haven for underserved and underrepresented minority families and children. We whole-heartedly believe that no one should feel fear and insecurity in their places of worship and communion. We call on our representatives, officials and law-enforcement in the city, county, and state to address the hate and violence towards Muslim places of worship and community centers, and the attacks on other places of worship. We hold firm to our vision for a safe and welcoming Washington for all individuals regardless of creed or color.  

Speakers at the press conference (in order of appearance):

Aneelah Afzali

– Executive Director of MAPS-AMEN

(American Muslim Empowerment Network) and Board of Faith Action Network

Dr. Yahya Suufi

–Executive Director and Imam of Muslim American Youth Foundation

Ahlaam Noor

–Young avid congregation member of MAYF

Theresa Crecelius

– Congregation member of MAYF

Imran Siddiqi

–Executive Director of CAIR-WA

Hugo Garcia

–Council Member of Burien City

Rev. Terry Kyllo

–Executive Director of Paths to Understanding 

“My heart is filled, and I am so grateful to the community for showing up on such short notice to show support for MAYF and the Muslim community…. It was powerful to see the community collectively join us to send the message that despite efforts to divide us, we are stronger together, and we are not alone in this. Even though others seek to destroy, amidst the shattered glass in our facility and the violation of our sacred space, we will rebuild and repel evil with good, exactly as our faith commands.  An attack on one really is an attack on all.”

– Imam Yahya Suufi, the Executive Director of MAYF

MAYF asks the community to take 4 actions:  (i) report any incidents of hate or bias, or any information that could help in the investigation; (ii) join us for a solidarity event on the evening of March 16th at MAYF Center (iii) support MAYF through its website at www.mayf.org (iv) volunteer assistance to helpMAYF with security solutions.