Swedish authorities are probing a fire that razed a mosque in Eskilstuna, central Sweden, to explore the possibility of arson as the cause.
The incident occurred on Monday and resulted in significant damage to the mosque. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries.
According to a statement posted on their website, the police have launched an ongoing investigation into the fire. They plan to interview witnesses and ascertain whether there were security cameras in the vicinity.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the authorities are actively seeking witnesses while reviewing security camera footage.
Anas Deneche, a spokesperson for the mosque, expressed that the mosque is nearly completely destroyed, with nothing salvageable. He also mentioned that the mosque had been subjected to previous acts of violence over the past year, and his family had received threats.
However, he emphasized the importance of waiting for the police to conclude their investigation before making any assumptions regarding the fire’s cause.
Eskilstuna is home to approximately 15,000 to 20,000 Muslims, making the mosque an integral religious and community hub for local residents.