Mosque in London targeted in suspected arson attack

Man seen on CCTV trying to set mosque alight in what police are treating as an Islamophobic hate crime

A mosque in north London was targeted last Friday in a suspected arson attack that police are treating as an Islamophobic hate crime.

A man tried to set Finsbury Park mosque on fire by throwing a can filled with petrol into the mosque’s grounds, according to Scotland Yard.

“This incident is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime,” the Metropolitan police said.



Police were called around 10:00am on Saturday after being notified of reports of a man acting suspiciously. CCTV cameras caught the man in the act and police were soon able to establish that the same man was in the area about 8:30pm the previous evening as well.

London police is now appealing for information regarding the suspect who is described as a white male. He was last seen wearing a white hooded top and is believed to have fled the scene on a moped.

Can you help @MPSIslington identify this man over an attempted arson at #FinsburyPark Mosque https://t.co/fwOJZJcfg5 pic.twitter.com/BrQj5OJ5dR

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 29, 2015

DS Stuart Smillie, the investigating officer, said, “Scorch marks were found on clothing wrapped around the jerry can. This was a clear and deliberate attempt to cause arson. Although the petrol did not fully ignite, the threat and intent was obvious and the resulting fire could quite easily have endangered anyone inside as well as those living nearby.”



The Finsbury Park mosque said in a statement, “We hope [the police] find out who is behind this grave incident and catch the perpetrators.”

“We would like to assure our community in Islington that such crime has no place within our society and we are determined more than ever to promote community cohesion and harmony,” it added.

Speaking to BBC, the mosque’s chairman Mohammed Kozbar said, “The mosque was saved only because it was raining. A gallon of fuel and burned papers were found outside the building.”

This article originally appeared on Guardian.