Spokane Muslims feel tension

After the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, this month was attributed to a Muslim couple, Karen Strongren’s son was afraid to go to prayer services at the Spokane Islamic Center. “He was saying, ‘I really don’t want to go to the mosque. I don’t want to go because I am afraid somebody is going to come in and start shooting,’ ” Strongren said. For many Muslims in Spokane, the past few weeks have been tense. Nationally, reports of hate crimes against Muslims have tripled following the terrorist attacks in Paris and California, according to a research group at California State University, San Bernardino. No threats have been made against the mosque in Spokane Valley, board members say, and many Muslims have received positive and supportive comments from community members who are concerned about their safety/ Rachel Alexander , SR. More here.