[bbfan1991]

An Islamic centre in north London has been destroyed by a fire.



It is not yet known whether the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre, which is listed as a mosque, was set alight deliberately in the early hours.

A Met Police spokesman said it was investigating the cause of the blaze which led the two-storey building in Muswell Hill to partially collapse.

The centre on Coppetts Road is used by the Somali Bravanese Welfare Association.

BBC London correspondent Kurt Barling, who is at the scene, said the centre's leaders had told him they had seen freshly sprayed racist graffiti on the building and that they were concerned the fire was in reaction to the killing of a soldier in Woolwich.

'Have our support'

Borough Ch Supt Adrian Usher said: "I have spoken to community leaders and assured them that a thorough investigation is being conducted.

"The safety of our communities is always our priority and we are consulting widely, offering our support and reassurance.

"All communities can be confident that they have our support and I can be contacted personally to answer their concerns."

Two properties were evacuated and no-one was reported to be injured however one woman was treated for shock.

A fire service spokesman said the brigade was called at 03:14 BST.

Six fire engines and about 35 firefighters tackled the blaze which was brought under control just over an hour later.

[arista]

No one dead
thats good

[Nedusa]

I wonder if this was one of the Islamic centres used for "hate" preaching ??

[Cherie]

Be a bit of a coincidence if it is accidental.

[lostalex]

hate begat hate

[Tom4784]

Very suspicious timing, I'd be surprised if it wasn't some ignorant mouth breathing mutants behind it.

[Livia]

"It is not yet known whether the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre was set alight deliberately". So this is just a story about a building that burned down... until there is some actual evidence, right?

[MTVN]

Well EDL graffiti has been found at the scene, it would be pretty remarkable if it was not racially motivated

[Kizzy]

Yes it helps if you read the article,I am surprised there hasn't been more of a backlash by the bigots.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

Yes it helps if you read the article,I am surprised there hasn't been more of a backlash by the bigots.

Which bigots are you talking about? the muslims or the anti-muslims?

[Nedusa]

Perhaps incidents like these may increase , perhaps murdering and trying to publicly behead a man on the streets of London is the line in the sand which has finally pushed the knuckle dragging brigade into action...

Perhaps the next incident like this will have far more dire consequences with many Muslims burned to death...!!!!

Perhaps the religious war is not that far away after all...!!!

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Nedusa

Perhaps incidents like these may increase , perhaps murdering and trying to publicly behead a man on the streets of London is the line in the sand which has finally pushed the knuckle dragging brigade into action...

Perhaps the next incident like this will have far more dire consequences with many Muslims burned to death...!!!!

Perhaps the religious war is not that far away after all...!!!

That paints a sad picture Nedusa but I do overall agree with you.

I think for a lot of people the barbaric murder of Lee Rigby is the last straw and feeding on that anger which a growing number of people have as to that, it may well be the door is opened to far worse as to reprisals as you say.
In my view not only from those very angry but also the opportunists who will use this horrific incident to their own agenda and advantage too.

Worrying times.

[Cherie]

It was reported yesterday that before "Woolwich" there was an average of 14 attacks a day on Muslims/Muslim culture, (this is countrywide, not just London) since Woolwich, the attacks have risen to 71 per day sad times indeed.

[Nedusa]

I keep saying that Muslim leaders need to be far more vocal in their response to the Woolwich murder. Not just condemning the act but using the incident to shock the mainstream Muslim masses into finally coming out publicly and questioning the whole area of radicalisation amongst young muslim men.

To publicly state that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance not hatred war and murder. To my mind the Muslim majority in the UK must stand up and be counted as their comparative silence amongst some sections gives succour to some of these hate filled evil preaching Imams.

Non Muslims in the UK cannot continue to stand up alone and state that the Majority of Muslims in the UK are against the way their religion is twisted by extremism when the majority of Muslims in the UK stay silent.

[Kizzy]

That is a great point, You can't turn a blind eye or a deaf ear here, muslim communities have a huge role to play and they will be looking for an indication it is ok to speak out.

[Cherie]

Yes I agree with that point also they are not vocal enough in condemnation.

[Me. I Am Salman]

But Muslim organisations have? And I saw so many news channels days after the Woolwich attack showing footage of leaders comdemning the attacks. My local mosque was giving a talk on terrorism before Friday prayers and I should imagine the rest are too, mosques are not a breeding ground for terrorism as a lot of ignorant disgusting minded people think

What more is there to do? Everyday Muslims are as much to blame as you are, terrorists aren't our responsibility and we don't know any of them

[Jack_]

Muslims leaders shouldn't even have to speak out, it's disgusting that the narrow-mindedness we have in this country make them feel the need to. Anyone that thinks what happened a few weeks ago, or any other terrorist act committed in the name of Islam for that matter, represents the majority of Muslims quite frankly needs to be exterminated for being a ****ing ignorant, brainwashed moron.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Salman!

But Muslim organisations have? And I saw so many news channels days after the Woolwich attack showing footage of leaders comdemning the attacks. My local mosque was giving a talk on terrorism before Friday prayers and I should imagine the rest are too, mosques are not a breeding ground for terrorism as a lot of ignorant disgusting minded people think

What more is there to do? Everyday Muslims are as much to blame as you are, terrorists aren't our responsibility and we don't know any of them

I didn't say in the mosques salman, I said in the community..
Keeping your eyes and ears open for actions or odd behaviour that you feel may indicate radicalisation.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Well EDL graffiti has been found at the scene, it would be pretty remarkable if it was not racially motivated

"the centre's leaders had told him they had seen freshly sprayed racist graffiti on the building and that they were concerned the fire was in reaction to the killing of a soldier in Woolwich."

There is hearsay that someone had seen some "racist grafitti" on the building, and no where does it say that the EDL was responsible. As usual there's a knee-jerk from people when we hear the word "Muslim". Articles like this add fuel to the fire - no pun intended. Once there is some evidence, then people can get all outraged.

[Me. I Am Salman]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

I didn't say in the mosques salman, I said in the community..
Keeping your eyes and ears open for actions or odd behaviour that you feel may indicate radicalisation.

Terrorism isn't as widespread as people think.

[Kizzy]

''Police have also confirmed that graffiti reading "EDL" – which may stand for English Defence League, a far right group – was found at the building, while neighbours reported hearing a loud explosion in the early hours of Wednesday morning.''

There's no smoke without fire.... pun intended.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Muslims leaders shouldn't even have to speak out, it's disgusting that the narrow-mindedness we have in this country make them feel the need to. Anyone that thinks what happened a few weeks ago, or any other terrorist act committed in the name of Islam for that matter, represents the majority of Muslims quite frankly needs to be exterminated for being a ****ing ignorant, brainwashed moron.

If you want to talk about narrow-mindedness, there are a fair few narrow minded people in the Muslim community. Those who want to bring Sharia Law here for instance, who keep their women at home pregnant, barefoot and speaking their native language, who hate the British way of life... if I was a Muslim, I would want to distance myself from those people, and clearly many decent Muslims want to do that.

I find it slightly offensive that you're calling for anyone but terrorist scum to be exterminated, frankly.

[Kizzy]

Originally Posted by Salman!

Terrorism isn't as widespread as people think.

Of course it isn't it is spread out and sporadic, that's why it's so hard to pinpoint and to predict.
Which is why there is the need for vigilance in all areas.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

''Police have also confirmed that graffiti reading "EDL" – which may stand for English Defence League, a far right group – was found at the building, while neighbours reported hearing a loud explosion in the early hours of Wednesday morning.''

There's no smoke without fire.... pun intended.

There is frequently smoke without fire. And it's a dangerous assumption to make that there is not.