Mosque fire in Australia might be a ‘hate crime”
By Samira Arabi
Morocco News Tribune
Muslim community 0f Whyalla, Australia, has to pray outside now in searing temperatures after their mosque was damaged by a suspicious fire on Thursday, according to Australian newspapers.
The Morris Crescent mosque’s walls and ceiling were damaged by smoke, which essentially started after front and back doors of the property were totally burnt.
Hassan Aziz, community spokesman, told local newspapers “the way it’s been carried out tells us that it’s a targeted crime, a hate crime,”
“There’s been no problem in the past.”
Local police said the fire did not cause much damage but appeared to be suspicious, which made local Crime Investigation Branch detectives to start the investigation.
Muslims in Australia enjoy a great deal of religious freedom. 2.25% of the total Australian populations were Muslims, according to Australia’s 2011 census.