Mosque one of four buildings firebombed in New York City

[razgriz19]

By Arthur Weinreb
Jan 2, 2012 - 8 hours ago


Read more: Mosque one of four buildings firebombed in New York City



New York - Police and fire officials report that four homemade firebombs were thrown at four buildings in Queens, New York. Police are investigating the firebombings as bias crimes.

The firebombings occurred Sunday between 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. according to police. Targeted were the Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center, a bodega, and two private residences. According to police, all properties were within two miles of each other in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens and the attacks are believed to be the work of the same person or persons.
A police source was quoted in the New York Daily News as saying,
They definitely appear to be quite similar. We're looking into them as bias crimes.

Some media are describing these crimes as bias crimes against Muslims. Although these may in fact be bias or hate crimes, according to the New York Daily News the firebombings were not targeted solely at Muslims. The newspaper reported the owners of one of the homes are African-American Christians, while the family occupying the other home are Hindus.
There were no injuries and only one of the homes sustained major damage. It took more than 60 firefighters more than half an hour to extinguish the flames. The firebomb thrown at the other home quickly went out.
The firebomb that hit the mosque, described as one of the most prominent Shiite mosques in New York City, landed on the front door. While the door was blackened, the fire did not spread. And in the bodega, only the counter was damaged leaving firefighters and police to believe the Molotov cocktail was thrown from within the store. The other attacks are believed to have happened when bottles were thrown from moving vehicles.
The New York City Police Department and the Fire Marshal are continuing to investigate.

Read more: Mosque one of four buildings firebombed in New York City

 

[razgriz19]

By KATIE MOISSE (@katiemoisse) , RICHARD ESPOSITO and MARK CRUDELE

Jan. 2, 2012





Four arson attacks in Queens, N.Y., are being investigated as possible hate crimes against Muslims, police said.

The attacks, which took place around 8 p.m. Sunday, targeted an Islamic center housing a prominent Shiite mosque, a bodega and two private homes.

Police and fire officials say at least two of the attacks appear to have stemmed from a dispute at the bodega, where a customer of Guyanese descent argued with an employee. The customer allegedly returned to the bodega and tossed a Molotov cocktail behind the counter. Authorities were investigating whether the employee worshiped at the Islamic center, which was hit by a similar firebomb made from a glass Starbucks bottle.

"No matter what the motivation was of the individual who threw Molotov cocktails in Queens last night, his actions stand in stark contrast to the New York City of today that we've built together," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.

The door of the Imam Al-Khoei Foundation Islamic center was blackened by the blast but the building did not catch fire. About 80 worshippers were inside the center at the time, the Associated Press reported.

"We thank Allah (SWT) that no major damage or injury was caused by the blast," reads a message on the foundation's website. "The Foundation reiterates its resolve to continue to serve the community and to strive to bring love where there is hatred, light where there is darkness and enlightenment where there is ignorance."

Authorities are also investigating a fifth fire in neighboring Nassau County, which appears to have involved Molotov bottles similar those used in at least three of the Queens attacks.

Although the attacks did not cause any injuries, flames that erupted at one of the homes took more than 60 firefighters about 40 minutes to control. The other home attacked, which also serves as a Hindu temple, was hit by two Molotov cocktails but both fizzled out.

"The four reported attacks on Sunday night go against everything we stand for as New Yorkers and Americans," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "Attacks such as this have no place in our open and inclusive society and we must do all we can to ensure New York remains a safe and tolerant place for all."

Queens Arson Attacks Under Investigation as Hate Crimes - ABC News

 

[razgriz19]

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

any word from the New York mayor?

he's usually vocal and has spoken in favour of the Muslims in the city -- who represent every walk of life like other groups.

 

[sammi]

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

Not that I doubt the resolve of the authorities to take on these miscreants but if these cocktails were thrown by Muslims on a church, all hell would have broken lose.

PS - I'm not a Muslim, so no bias in my comment!