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News > World

Mosque Deliberately Set on Fire in Ontario, Canada

  • The KMRA mosque, pictured in the snow.

    The KMRA mosque, pictured in the snow. | Photo: KMRA / Facebook

Published 15 November 2015
Opinion

Fire Marshals in Peterborough, Ontario have ruled the fire was lit intentionally. There is no information yet on damages or victims.

A mosque in Peterborough, Canada, was targeted by an arson attack, local police said Sunday.

The news outlet CBC said police reported the fire broke out at the Kawartha Muslim Religious Association's mosque, the only one in the Canadian city, at around 11 p.m. local time Saturday.

While the outside of the structure was largely unscathed, the mosque's interior has been seriously damaged, according to emergency workers. No one was injured in the blaze.

“Damage is estimated at CA$80,000 (US$60,000),” the Peterborough Examiner reported.

The newspaper quoted KMRA president Kenzu Abdella as stating, “The police are treating it as a hate crime, as far as we know, but we don’t have any more details.”

Abdellah continued by stating the incident was unexpected, and that the mosque has long had a positive relationship with the Peterborough community. The KMRA posted on Facebook that it has received a lot of support from residents.

In light of the recent events at Masjid Al-Salaam, we would like to thank the community at large for the tremendous and continued support we have received.

Posted by Kawartha Muslim Religious Association on  Sunday, 15 November 2015

According to the National Post, Sgt. Tim Millard said, “We’ve determined the fire was deliberately set … just by what was located.”

No further details of the investigation have been released, and it’s unclear whether the incident was related to killings in Paris, France Saturday.

Mayor Daryl Bennett has issued a statement in support of the city's Muslim community.

“If this is found to be a hate crime, it in no way represents the feelings of our community,” Bennett said, according to the National Post.

“Attacking a place of worship is a despicable act. Masjid Al-Salaam, the name of the mosque, means Mosque of Peace,” Bennett said.

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