Sweden – A devastating fire, suspected to be an act of arson, has left a mosque in the Arby district of Eskilstuna, south-eastern Sweden, in ruins.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, has raised concerns about the safety and security of religious institutions in the country, Anadolu Agency reported.
The fire that engulfed the mosque is suspected to be a deliberate act of arson. Anas Deneche, the mosque’s Communication Director, confirmed this in an interview with public broadcaster SR. The mosque has previously faced threats and physical attacks, Deneche said, stressing: “We are sure that this was an arson attack.”
Local police records substantiate Deneche’s claims, indicating a history of threats and attacks against the mosque. According to local authorities, the fire has left the mosque completely unusable.
“The main building of the mosque was not salvageable. The building burned from the roof,” rescue officer Anders Sisler said as he described the extent of the damage. There were no reported injuries related to the fire, as no one was inside the mosque when the blaze erupted.
The incident sparked concerns about the rise in violent Islamophobic acts in the Nordic country. Sweden is home to more than 600,000 Muslims, and recent events, including the desecration of the Quran in front of mosques and Islamic embassies, have caused widespread anger in the Islamic world.
Some countries, including Morocco, have even summoned Swedish diplomats in the past to officially voice their objections.
The issue has also gained international attention, with the United Nations adopting a Moroccan-proposed resolution on July 25, condemning all acts of violence targeting holy books as a violation of international law.
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