A Bothell interfaith leader gave an opening prayer to the Washington State House Chambers last Wednesday, answering a call from national congressional leaders.

Ryan Welton, 32, is a Muslim community leader at the Islamic Center of Bothell, a local mosque.

For him, this was a chance to demonstrate that Muslims are concerned about, and involved in, their communities.

“As Muslims here in America, it’s extremely important that people understand that we’re here to help build a better community, a better society,” Welton said. “We pride ourselves on the religious and personal freedoms that this country was founded on.”

Welton was asked to give the prayer by state Rep. Derek Stanford, who represents Bothell.

Welton’s wife, two 6-year-old daughters and 4-year-old son also attended and shared the stage with Welton.

Following comments from Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump and the attacks San Bernadino, hate crimes against Muslims in America skyrocketed last December.

Increasing the visibility of Muslims in local communities was one of the reasons Welton chose to give the prayer.

“If we just sit by the sidelines and think someone else is going to speak up for us, it’s not going to happen,” he said.

Welton said he thinks once people get to know and understand each other they can come together.

“One of my goals as leader of this interfaith group at the Bothell mosque is to build bridges,” he said. “Once people start to understand each other we’ll start to see this hatred and prejudice start to dissolve.”