An attack on a mosque in the UK, the main gate was damaged, and an attempt to damage a car parked outside set on fire

Only two people were in the mosque at the time, who managed to get out in time

Staff reporter, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV report

London: The main gate of a mosque in Peace Haven, East Sussex, UK, was set on fire on Saturday night, which the police have declared a hate attack and have launched an investigation.

Fire brigade personnel were called to the mosque on Phillis Avenue at around 9:50 pm. According to the police, no one was injured in the incident, but the main gate of the mosque and a car parked outside were affected by the fire.

Detective Superintendent Kerry Bohana of Sussex Police said that the incident has caused deep concern in the local community and will hurt the Muslim community. He added that additional police personnel have been deployed to the scene of the incident, while patrols have also been increased near places of worship to assure people of their safety.

A volunteer, who asked not to be named, told the BBC that two men were trying to enter the mosque through the main entrance, but the door was locked. They then threw a liquid at the entrance and a nearby car and set it on fire. According to the volunteer, two people inside the mosque at the time managed to escape. He said, “It could have been murder.”

A video circulating on social media shows two masked men approaching the mosque, and shortly after, the fire breaks out, but the BBC has not confirmed the footage.

The incident comes at a time when there is a renewed focus on security at places of worship across the UK. Two days ago, two people were killed in an attack outside a synagogue in Manchester. The attacker has been identified as 35-year-old Jihad al-Shami, a British citizen of Syrian origin, and was killed by police at the scene.

Tariq Jung, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum, said everyone was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the events in Manchester and Peace Haven. “No worshipper – whether Jewish, Christian, Hindu or Muslim – should expect to be attacked,” he said. He hoped religious leaders and the local community would come together to maintain peace.

Chris Ward, the Labour MP for Brighton and Hove, described the attack as “disgraceful.” He said, “It is a coincidence that no one was injured. Violence and hatred have no place in our peaceful and tolerant community. We will end it and stand in solidarity with all those affected.”