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October 5, 2006
Scotland: Islamic Center In Arson Attack
News from Falkirk Today states that in the town of Falkirk, the only Islamic Center has been gutted by fire. The police believe the incident was an arson attack.
The Falkirk Islamic Center, situated on Burnhead Lane, was found to be on fire at 2.30 am on Monday (October 1). A Muslim taxi driver spotted the flames and called Shoeb Farooqui, a member of the center. By the time emergency services arrived, the blaze had been extinguished.
Farooqui said that the taxi driver had gone to the center to make a night prayer, and raised the alarm while the fire had not taken a full hold of the building. The center has been in its location for 13 years, and members said that it was the first time such an incident had happened.
Arshad Farooqui, a mosque representative, said: "This is the first thing like this that has happened at the Islamic Centre. The Muslim community in Falkirk is very peaceful and we try to integrate with the local community. We are shocked by this - it's a really sad thing which has happened here. The vast majority of the local community are very nice and have always supported us, even during the bad times around the world."
He said that until the damage is rectified there will be no place for prayers. He said many of the members were elderly and the smoke smells could bring on asthma for them.
The damage is estimated to cost £10,000 ($18,785) to rectify.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 5, 2006 6:21 PM
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