Authorities Probe Mosque Fire In Sweden

Swedish authorities have launched an investigation into a devastating fire that engulfed and reduced a mosque to rubble in central Sweden on the previous day. The incident has raised concerns about the possibility of arson. In a statement released on their website, Swedish police confirmed that the investigation into the fire is ongoing. They are in the process of interviewing witnesses and determining whether security cameras in the vicinity may have captured relevant information. The fire erupted on Monday around noon in Eskilstuna, a town located 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Stockholm. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries resulting from the incident. However, the mosque itself suffered extensive damage, rendering it nearly destroyed, according to Anas Deneche, a spokesman for the mosque. Deneche shared that the mosque had been targeted in previous acts of violence over the past year, and his family had faced threats. Nevertheless, he emphasized that it is too early to draw any definitive conclusions about the cause of the fire, and he expressed the need to await the completion of the police investigation. As the investigation unfolds, Swedish authorities are pursuing several leads, although they have not provided additional details at this stage. Eskilstuna is home to a significant Muslim population, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 Muslims residing in the town. The incident has raised concerns within the community and underscores the importance of a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the fire at the mosque.