Zayun2
11-02-2008, 06:20
Forgive me if this has been posted but,
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23100775/
{Authorities said three suspects have been charged with arson following a fire that destroyed a mosque. Authorities arrested Jonathan Stone, 19, Michael Golden, 23, and Eric Baker, 32, -- all from Columbia.
"We are working this as an obvious arson and hate crime. There were swastikas painted on the side of the building and graffiti indicative of white hate, so we've got an attack on a house of worship, which is a federal crime," Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Jim Cavanaugh said.
When crews arrived at the mosque Sunday at about 5 a.m., the roof was engulfed in flames, and smoke was pouring out of the building.
Mosque officials said that the most disturbing part was the graffiti and the words, "White power -- we rule the world," spray-painted on the building.
The mosque was built in 2000, and members said that they have never been threatened or targeted before the fire.
"It's very disheartening to see that building burn to the ground like that," Islamic Center of Columbia spokesman Daoud Abudiab said.
Authorities said Sunday that the men are being held in the Maury County Jail and face possible federal charges for attacking a house of worship and other federal crimes. }
Kind of saddening to hear this really, though it's a good thing such events are not commonplace.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23100775/
{Authorities said three suspects have been charged with arson following a fire that destroyed a mosque. Authorities arrested Jonathan Stone, 19, Michael Golden, 23, and Eric Baker, 32, -- all from Columbia.
"We are working this as an obvious arson and hate crime. There were swastikas painted on the side of the building and graffiti indicative of white hate, so we've got an attack on a house of worship, which is a federal crime," Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman Jim Cavanaugh said.
When crews arrived at the mosque Sunday at about 5 a.m., the roof was engulfed in flames, and smoke was pouring out of the building.
Mosque officials said that the most disturbing part was the graffiti and the words, "White power -- we rule the world," spray-painted on the building.
The mosque was built in 2000, and members said that they have never been threatened or targeted before the fire.
"It's very disheartening to see that building burn to the ground like that," Islamic Center of Columbia spokesman Daoud Abudiab said.
Authorities said Sunday that the men are being held in the Maury County Jail and face possible federal charges for attacking a house of worship and other federal crimes. }
Kind of saddening to hear this really, though it's a good thing such events are not commonplace.