Fire at Peacehaven Mosque Is Being Treated as Hate Crime, UK Police Say

A fire at a mosque in Peacehaven, a town in East Sussex, England, is being investigated as a hate crime, local police announced. The incident occurred on a day when the community was already on edge, following a deadly terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester.The police were called to the scene of the mosque on Wednesday evening after reports of a fire. Fortunately, no one was injured in the blaze, but the building suffered significant damage. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire, and police are treating it as a suspected hate crime.The timing of the attack has raised concerns, as it comes on the heels of a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester, which left one person dead and several others injured. The Manchester attack has heightened anxiety levels in the community, and authorities are urging calm and vigilance.The police have appealed for anyone with information about the fire at the Peacehaven Mosque to come forward. "We take incidents like this very seriously, and we are working to identify the person or people responsible," a police spokesperson said. "We understand that this incident may cause concern, particularly in the context of recent events, but we want to reassure the community that we are doing everything we can to investigate and prevent such incidents in the future."The Muslim community in Peacehaven and beyond has expressed shock and sadness at the fire, but has also praised the police for their swift response and support. The incident has highlighted the importance of community cohesion and the need for people to come together to promote understanding and respect.As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to contact them. The community is also coming together to support the mosque and its congregation, with a fundraising campaign set up to help with repairs and rebuilding efforts.