Turkey calls for action after arson at US mosque

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s foreign minister called for a united stance against Islamophobia late Monday after a mosque in the U.S. state of Connecticut was attacked over the weekend.

“Arson in Diyanet Mosque in #NewHaven during Ramadan is another example of increasing #Islamophobia in the world,” Mevlut Cavusoglu wrote on Twitter.

“Perpetrators of this heinous attack should be identified&sentenced swiftly. Should fight altogether against Islamophobia&racism,” he said, adding the only consolidation was there was no loss of life.

A fire broke out on the first floor of the mosque on Sunday afternoon and spread to the second level. A worshipper who was in the building called firefighters and was able to safely evacuate.

The mosque, which was still under construction, was significantly damaged.

A criminal investigation is undwerway, and officials believe the fire was intentionally set. Besides local police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also involved.