Marq Vincent Perez of Victoria set the Victoria Islamic Center ablaze in January 2017. He was recently found guilty of using fire to commit a federal felony; damaging religious property, a hate crime; and possession of a destructive device following the six-day trial.
Construction of the new center began in December 2017. Project architect Rawley McCoy estimates that the project should be completed at some point between mid-to-late August 2018.
During the design phase of the new building, McCoy said that he traveled to San Antonio and Austin to view mosques, which was helpful understanding the community's religious needs. During construction, weather was a challenge while laying the foundation. But it has not hampered the progress of the project at least so far. The project is almost finished. “I’m going to be as delighted as everyone when the project is complete” Mc Coy added.
Some men were observed paving the sidewalk into the front entrance with red bricks while other men were observed working inside. The sound of an electric saw could be heard buzzing on and off throughout the property. Progress steadily continues to the exterior and interior. The construction team is working dilligently on placing the marble flooring, carpeting and painting inside the Mosque.
According to Hassan, “it’s just overwhelming” referring to a majority of its funds were received from a GoFundMe page, which has raised slightly over $1.1 million of its $1.5 million goal. The Victoria Islamic Center is used by about 40 families with 140 people total, Hassan said. But the help with rebuilding has come from well beyond those families. He said about 23,000 people have donated from about 90 different countries and across the U.S.
Mosque member Omar Rachid, the one who created the GoFundMe page, said that he never imagined it getting this much attention adding “it’s an example of humanity at its best,” continuing that “I had no idea it would garner this much attention and donations.”
Following the fire, he and the other mosque members felt extreme loss and unwelcome within the community. At the time of the fire, Imam Osama Hassan's thoughts were “the day we lost our mosque, I never thought we could build it again.”This changed however, as he saw people donate and offer services to the reconstruction those feelings began to fade. “We are extremely excited,” he said.
“We are getting closer and closer by the day (to completion).” Rachid said the future is bright as progress continues on the new structure, and he can’t wait to use the new mosque. It gives him hope. Rachid added that “It’s something rising out of the ashes.”
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