Victoria Islamic Center Breaks Ground, Four Months After Fire

The building was destroyed on January 28, and its rebirth began, appropriately, on the first day of Ramadan 2017, May 26, an auspicious beginning for the Victoria Islamic Center.

"Ramadan is the most blessed month in the Islamic calendar and being able to break ground on the first day of the holiest month just adds to being an extra blessing," Omar Rachid, who has been a member of the center for more than 20 years, told KTRK.

Rachid created the GoFundMe page dedicated to raising funds for the center's reconstruction; to date, more than $1 million has been contributed, and donors have sent money from around the world.

"It's extremely humbling and not only in that it restores our faith in humanity, it restores our faith in really what the true American spirit is," Rachid said. "The message that was sent was contrary to the message we received the night of the tragedy."

A completion date for the new Victoria Islamic Center has not been set, but members said the thought of being able to worship and meet in the new building was gratifying.

"On the 28th of January, we all shed tears of sadness," Rachid said. "And I believe on the day we open the mosque, it's going to be tears of enjoyment, and extreme excitement and happiness."

Federal investigators have a suspect in the blaze, which they have deemed arson, but have not charged anyone. The suspect is awaiting trial for two other charges, according to KTRK.

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— Image: GoFundMe