Plans For Wausau Mosque Draw Mixed Response From Residents

The announcement of plans for a Wausau-area mosque was praised by some local faith leaders but drew mixed reaction in the comments section of the Wausau Daily Herald. One area Rabbi described the negative reactions as unfortunate.

Most of the readers’ comments were welcoming, but not all. Some pointed to the destruction of churches in Muslim countries, with one reader asking, “how long before they kill us here?” Rabbi Dan Danson of Wausau’s Mount Sinai congregation said the fears are unfounded. He points to the mosque that opened nine years ago in Marshfield.

“It’s easy to defend the establishment of a mosque here by looking down to Marshfield and saying what a positive experience it’s been for the Marshfield community,” Danson said. “But I think we already know our Muslim neighbors well enough to know that hateful comments in a sense, they almost don’t deserve the time of day.”

The mosque in Wausau is expected to attract Muslims from throughout central Wisconsin, who now have to drive to Marshfield. Danson hopes to include them in regional interfaith programs.