Western Resistance

« Bangladesh: Islamists Linked To Government Throw Bomb At University | | Top Russian Muslim Leader Threatens State: Support My Islam or the Wahhabis Will Come »

August 12, 2006

UK: Another Mosque Is Set Alight

We reported yesterday of an arson attack upon the Shahjalal mosque in Blacon in Cheshire. There were suspicions that the attack may have been a revenge attack for the release of information about a massive Muslim plot to blow up nine US-bound planes.

Now there has been another arson attack against a British mosque, and the suspicion that revenge is the motive is being voiced more strongly. The mosque in question is the Al-Birr Masjid Mosque in Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, Hampshire.

The Daily Mail reports that the mosque's roof was set on fire, around 3.30 am local time this morning. It took 16 firefighters to put out the blaze.

There had been previous incident at the mosque last year, when two men were charged with racially aggravated assault and racially aggravated criminal damage to a car parked at the mosque.

The BBC and the Daily Mail quote from Steve Watts, Assistant Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, who states that police are not ruling out the possibility that the arson attack was connected to the recent security threat.

He said: "If incidents such as this happen anywhere across the two counties, I can assure the public that they will be dealt with effectively and robustly. In this current climate, we cannot rule out the possibility that this incident is related to the recent security threat. Therefore we are treating it extremely seriously and dealing with it appropriately."

During the day on Friday, the police had made sure they were visibly present near the mosque at prayer time, when people were inside the building. The attack later that night caused no injuries.

Superintendent Chris Brown of Hampshire police said: "We are fully investigating this incident and have put all appropriate resources into place. The investigation is being led by a detective superintendent and once we have identified the offender or offenders they will be brought in front of a court as swiftly as possible."

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at August 12, 2006 8:36 PM

Comments

Posted by: Voyager at August 13, 2006 9:08 AM

Post a comment