Sweden: Mosque Severely Damaged Following Suspected Arson Attack
Speaking to public broadcaster SR on Monday, Eskilstuna Grand Mosque’s communications director Anas Deneche said the fire was caused by arson.
The mosque is located in the Arby section of the city of Eskilstuna, Anadolu Agency reported.
Police records show the mosque has faced threats and was subjected to physical attacks, he said, adding that they are sure that this was an arson attack.
Police say the mosque is unusable due to the damage and that an investigation has been launched into the incident.
No one was injured during the fire which was put off by firefighters dispatched from four stations.
Deneche says that they do not intend to give up but that the mosque, in some form, will be rebuilt. Until then, he urges members to be patient.
"We get to practice what we Muslims say 'sabar', which is patience,” he said.
The fire comes amid a spate of attacks against Islam and the Holy Quran in Sweden in the past few months as extremists misuse the freedom of expression laws of the Scandinavian country to promote hatred against Muslims.
Source: Agencies
