Those who gathered said they wanted to deliver a unified message to whoever set the fire: Hate is not welcome in Corvallis.

Kloper said the “Not in My Town” effort originated in Billings, Mont., in 1995, where the community came together to denounce and stop hate crimes by local white supremacists against Native Americans, Jewish people and African Americans.

The sentiment is appreciated, said Mousin Saeed, who attends the mosque. He said the good news is both that the building is insured — and that the single act of hate has been followed by an outpouring of support.

In response to one person’s question: “How can we help?” Saeed smiled and said “We’ve been getting that a lot,” drawing laughs. He added that he would expect nothing less from Corvallis; people already are helping.

“That’s why we have been here so long,” he said. The mosque is one of the oldest or second-oldest in Oregon.

Volunteers have been helping to haul away the debris, volunteering the free use of a trailer and other equipment as well as manpower, Saeed said. By way of thanks, the leadership of the mosque is planning an open house as a way to encourage more cultural exchanges.