Queensland would-be mosque destroyed in fire

Rasa – A Queensland mosque which was scheduled to open only after two days is said to be completely destroyed in an arson attack on Friday.

News ID: 2381

Date: 21 April 2015 - 16:11

RNA - Australian state of Queensland witnessed yet another arson attack on a mosque in Toowoomba.

The mosque which is the first mosque in the city of Toowoomba and was scheduled to open only after two days is said to be completely destroyed in the attack on Friday.

This was the second time in the year that the mosque was attacked in Australia.

However, Queensland's chief Islamic spokesman asked for forgiveness from God for those responsible for the arson attack.

Islamic Council of Queensland spokesman Ali Kadri called the mosque “a peaceful place of worship.” He wished that God might forgive the attackers for what they had done.

Kadri asked the attackers to try to live their life through peace and not hatred. He said that, instead of attacking Muslims in a peaceful place of worship, the attackers should try to get to know some Muslims.

According to Kadri, the overnight fire destroyed around 80 per cent of the building. "The carpets are burned down, the walls are burned down, the office of the Imam is completely burned down and all the glasses have been shattered," Kadri said.

The fire broke out at 2 a.m. local time inside the West Street brick building. While firefighters did manage to control the flames, the fire already caused substantial damage to the mosque. The incident has been treated by police as an arson attack. Officers have started asking people in the area if they had any information.

The last time the mosque was under attack in Australia was in January 2015.  A man attempted lighting a fire in a plastic bin. He also left a gas stove on deliberately in an adjoining building adjoining. However, the fire failed to ignite. Police did not make any arrest over the attack. According to police, there is no suspect this time either.

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