An interfaith embrace after a Texas mosque burns to the ground

(RNS) Donors have given nearly $1 million to rebuild a South Texas mosque, with many monetary and in-kind donations coming from Christians and Jews.

Authorities have not declared a cause of the blaze that incinerated the Islamic Center of Victoria, about 100 miles southwest of Houston, on Saturday (Jan. 28).

But many people are wondering whether the fire was a hate crime. Comments on the mosque’s online fundraiser page speak of love trumping hate, and of freedom of religion. As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $972,000 had been pledged through the GoFundMe site, with other donations sent directly to mosque leaders.

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