2014 mosque arson attacks in Sweden

The 2014 Sweden mosques arson attacks were a series of arson attacks on three mosques in Sweden that took place during one week at the end of 2014.[1] During 2014 there were at least 12 attacks on mosques throughout Sweden.[2] In addition to being struck by Molotov cocktails, some mosques were vandalized with racist graffiti.[1][3]

Attacks

The first attack took place on Monday in the southern Swedish town of Eslöv just after 3 am local time. No one was injured on that occasion.[4][5] Early on New Year’s morning the second attack hit a mosque in Upsalla.[6][7][8]

On Christmas, five people suffered injuries when, according to early reports, a petrol bomb had been tossed through the window of a mosque in Eskilstuna. Up to 20 people, including children, were in the mosque at the time of the attack.[9][10] Police later said they were investigating the incident as an accident, considering it unlikely to have been a deliberate attack.[11] It was later reported that an overheated deep-fryer was the probable cause of the fire.[12][13]

Background

The attacks happened at a time of rising anti-immigrant sentiment and political tension over Sweden's status as the leading destination in the EU (per capita) for asylum seekers.[14]

Response

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said that the attacks were "hateful violence" and denounced the crime. He said that the attacks were not representative of Sweden. and that "no-one in Sweden should be afraid of practicing their religion".

Samir Muric, the imam in Eslöv, told a Swedish news agency: "Unfortunately this is probably something to do with Islamophobia. I live nearby, and it’s beginning to feel unsafe."

On January 2, 2015, hundreds of anti-racist demonstrators in three major Swedish cities rallied in support of Muslims.[15][16]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Sweden hit by third assault on mosque". Financial Times.
  2. ↑ "Sweden struck by 3rd mosque arson attack in a week". rt.com.
  3. ↑ "Sweden hit by third mosque arson attack in a week". straitstimes.com.
  4. ↑ David Crouch. "Swedish mosque set ablaze in second suspected arson attack in a week". the Guardian.
  5. ↑ "Second Swedish Mosque Targeted in Suspected Arson Attack". newsweek.com.
  6. ↑ "Uppsala mosque hit in third firebomb attack". thelocal.se.
  7. ↑ "Sweden hit by third mosque arson attack". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ↑ "Sweden suffers third mosque arson attack in a week". The National.
  9. ↑ "Arson attack at Swedish mosque leaves five injured". euronews.
  10. ↑ "Five hurt in mosque arson attack". thelocal.se.
  11. ↑ "Source: Police "no longer suspect arson" at Eskilstuna mosque". Sveriges Radio. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Local newspaper: Eskilstuna mosque fire caused by deep-fryer". Sveriges Radio. 9 March 2015.
  13. ↑ "Report deep fryer started mosque fire". The Local. 9 March 2015.
  14. ↑ "Swedes rally in support of mosques after arson attacks". Washington Post.
  15. ↑ ABC News. "Swedes Rally in Support of Mosques After Arson Attacks". ABC News.
  16. ↑ "Swedes rally in support of Muslims after arson attacks against mosques". Fox News.
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