Update December 31st: Richard at Blue Ridge Forum directs us to this story with updates—oopsy! Looks like there may not have been an intentional fire set by right wing Islamophobic fanatics after all!
Update December 30th: Another Swedish mosque arson, here.
At least that is what the media wants you to think happened in Eskilstuna. We’ll see if a right-winger (Afrophobia!) is responsible or if it is the result of one of those Somali on Somali clan grievances.
From Deutsche Welle:
Police said between 15 and 20 people were in the mosque in the Swedish town of Eskilstuna when the fire broke out at around noon on Thursday. Of the five injured, two were treated for smoke inhalation, two suffered lacerations and one a foot injury.
Police said they were treating the fire, which forced the evacuation of several nearby apartments, as an arson.
“A witness saw somebody throw an object through the window of the building, which serves as a mosque, after which a violent fire began,” police spokesman Lars Franzell said.
There was no word on the possible identity of the suspect and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The mosque is used primarily by Somali Muslims in the town, according to the KNA news agency. Eskilstuna is located about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of Stockholm.
Political debate over immigration
The apparent arson attack comes amid a growing political debate over immigration in the country, which has traditionally been seen as welcoming to immigrants.
If anyone sees an update on this story, please send it my way.
Go here for our extensive Sweden archive. I guess lucky for the mosque leaders that this is not a no-go zone for police and emergency crews.
Our ‘Invasion of Europe’ series is here.