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November 16, 2005
Sweden: Firebombed Mosque Faces Financial Ruin
The mosque and Islamic centre at Malmo, 382 miles south of Stockholm in Sweden (pictured) has been attacked by arsonists three times. The last incident, which took place on October 21, happened only a month after a previous attack on September 18th. The last two cases were potentially serious, particularly as someone was sleeping inside the mosque during the time of the last attack. The man received smoke inhalation problems, but recovered in hospital. These incidents caused damage, but structurally were not as severe as the arson attack which happened in 2003, which severely damaged the mosque and adjacent buildings at the complex.
Now, according to The Local, the mosque has a problem with its insurance company as a direct result of these arson attacks. The insurers say they can no longer provide cover.
Nejzat Becirov, the mosque's chief executive, has asked for assistance from Sweden's prime minister, Goran Persson. In a letter to Persson, Becirov wrote "Next time we're under threat of sabotage and terrorism it will become impossible to rebuild the centre, we won't be able to get a loan to do so either".
Earlier this month the prime minister visited the mosque and gave a hint that he would provide financial support. He also said that Sweden "has sadly become a country with European norms."
The mosque is a spiritual base for 57,000 Muslims.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at November 16, 2005 11:31 AM
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