An 'intentional' fire at a mosque in the city of Skellefteå, Sweden, resulted in five injuries. The attack occurred on Thursday, December 25, while about 20 worshippers were present. Sky News reported statements from Lars Franzel, a police spokesperson, who quoted an eyewitness saying, 'A person threw an object into the mosque, causing the fire to start.' The fire occurred on the first floor of the building functioning as a mosque. The injured have been transferred to the hospital. AFP also published part of a statement from the Swedish police emphasizing that the investigation into the incident will be conducted as an 'intentional fire.' Sweden, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, has recently faced a rise in the power of anti-immigrant right-wing movements, which are calling for a reduction in the number of immigrants in Sweden. This month, the right-wing 'Democrats' party caused the collapse of the coalition government's budget bill by withholding support. Omar Mustafa, head of the Islamic Association of Sweden, warned in an interview with the country's SR radio about the 'escalation of hatred against Muslims.' Skellefteå, a city with a large immigrant and Muslim population, became a scene of clashes between neo-Nazi groups and their opponents in early 2014. In January, unknown assailants installed several black swastikas on the door of a mosque in Stockholm. In December, neo-Nazis attacked an anti-racism demonstration in the outskirts of Stockholm, sending three people to the hospital.
Arson Attack on Mosque in Sweden Leaves Five Injured
An intentional fire at a mosque in Skellefteå, Sweden, injured five people and is being investigated as arson. The incident reflects the rising anti-immigrant sentiment in Sweden, particularly against Muslims, amidst a backdrop of political tensions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
An intentional fire was set at a mosque in Skellefteå, Sweden, injuring five people. The incident is being investigated as arson, highlighting rising anti-immigrant sentiments in the country.
- The fire occurred while about 20 worshippers were present in the mosque.
- This incident follows a trend of increasing violence and hostility towards Muslim communities in Sweden.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Sweden has seen a rise in right-wing populism, which often targets immigrants and minority communities, particularly Muslims. This incident is part of a troubling pattern of violence against such communities.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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