Tag: Marietta

Georgia: Muslim community member charged in Marietta mosque fire

— Atlanta Journal-Constitution:  “Muslim community member charged in Marietta mosque fire”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports: “A member of the Muslim community is suspected of setting the fire that occurred at a Marietta mosque Monday night, Marietta fire officials said Thursday.”
— “Tamsir Mendy, 26, a native of Gambia, has been charged with 1st degree arson and is being held without bail at the Cobb County detention center, said Scott Tucker, Marietta assistant fire chief.”
— “Mosque leaders said Mendy, who describes himself as a ‘devout Muslim,’ had attended their prayer services for a few weeks, Tucker said.
— “Mendy was taken into custody around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Marietta Fire Department headquarters. He is believed to have acted alone, Tucker said.”
— “Officials have ruled out the possibility that the arson was a hate crime, and did not provide details on any possible motives for the fire.”

Aftermath of Fire at Marietta, Georgia Mosque - Arson Investigation Underway
Aftermath of Fire at Marietta, Georgia Mosque – Arson Investigation Underway
Tamsir Mendy -- Arrested in Marietta, Georgia Mosque Fire
Tamsir Mendy — Arrested in Marietta, Georgia Mosque Fire

Georgia: Mosque Fire Investigated to Determine if Arson

On July 6, 2010, Marietta, Georgia local news media outlets are reporting on what is being described as a “suspicious fire” at the Marietta mosque, stating that the fire is being investigated to determine if it was arson.

The Marietta mosque that was damaged by fire is on Powder Springs Street in Marietta, Georgia.  The Masjid Al-Hedaya describes its location as on Powder Springs Street in Marietta, Georgia.  WSB radio reported the fire as “The fire was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Monday at Masjid Al-hedaya on Powder Springs Street in Marietta.  The building is also known as the Islamic Center of Marietta.”   WSBTV has described this as the “Masjid Al Head mosque.”   Local Marietta media are reporting that Muslim attendees at the Masjid Al-Hedaya mosque are uncertain if someone deliberately set the fire.    The fire started after the last prayer session. Reports state that damage to the mosque is “extensive.”  According to reports, the fire destroyed the front entrance and did significant damage to the main prayer hall. The local imam Hafiz Inayatullah told WSBTV that “We locked the door and everything and we left and suddenly he called me and said, ‘There’s fire’.”

Marietta, Georgia - Area Near the Masjid Al-Hedaya Mosque
Marietta, Georgia - Area Near the Masjid Al-Hedaya Mosque

On June 15, 2010, the Marietta Daily Journal published a column by a writer warning about the construction of mosques in the United States.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges all to assist law enforcement agencies in their investigation.  If this fire was the result of arson, we urge that all Americans help law enforcement agencies to aid in identifying those responsible.  Our universal human rights include our freedom of religion, freedom of conscience, and freedom of worship for all people.  We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.