JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A fire at a mosque on the Southside is under investigation as a possible hate crime.
Worshipers at the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida heard a loud noise outside the mosque shortly before evening prayers Monday night.
Witnesses went outside and found some type of incendiary device had started a fire. The fire was put out with a fire extinguisher. No one was hurt.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the fire marshal, ATF and FBI representatives responded to the incident, which is being looked at as a possible hate crime.
“A possible bias-motivated attack on a house of worship should be of great concern to Americans of all faiths, and particularly to our nation’s religions and political leaders,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Those who shape public opinion must begin to speak out against the rising level of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society.”
CAIR says a man in his 40s entered the Islamic Center on April 4, and shouted, “Stop this blaspheming!” The man said he’d be back as people chased him away.
Imagine if this was a Church, Synagogue or Temple.. Muslims would be targeted, the media would be flashing headlines and politicians would be yelling. But this one news is not getting that attention. 