LONDON: A popular Muslim and Sikh places of worship were set on fire in arson attacks in English city of Leeds, according to media report on Wednesday.
The Jamia Masjid Abu Huraira Mosque in Hardy Street, Beeston, along with the nearby Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha on Lady Pit Lane were targeted at around 3.45am on Tuesday morning, the BBC reported.
According to the Sikh Press Association, the flammable filled liquid bottle was used to set alight the front doors of both buildings, causing minor damage.
Amjid Hussain, mosque committee’s secretary, said the attack ‘would not divide us’ especially during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
Police investigating the case treating both incidents as arsons and hate crimes.
As per The Independent, Inspector Ian O’Brien, who heads neighbourhood policing for south Leeds, said: “These incidents will cause an understandable level of concern in both the Muslim and Sikh communities in this area and we are working closely with key representatives from those communities to reassure them.
“Hate crimes that target particular communities and have the potential to cause divisions and tensions cannot and will not be tolerated and we will continue to do everything we can to find those responsible and support and reassure the communities affected,” he added.