Arson Suspected In Mosque Fire, St. Paul Authorities Say

ST. PAUL, MN — A mosque was damaged in a fire Wednesday in St. Paul, and authorities suspect arson, officials said.

Fire investigators and St. Paul police are working together on the case after Oromo American Twhid Islamic Center was lit ablaze in the 400 block of Dale Street North, the city fire department tweeted Wednesday morning. The State Fire Marshal’s Office and FBI have been called in to assist, according to KARE 11.

The structure was empty and no one was hurt, according to the department, but KARE 11 reported the damage was extensive. This is the sixth mosque attack in Minnesota this year, according to the Star Tribune.

"We're on edge, and we need the public's help once the suspect is defined to help capture this individual," Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Minnesota chapter, told the Tribune. "This incident will not impact our faith and our resiliency in the community."

St. Paul authorities will work with Muslim leaders to increase police patrols, according to KARE 11.

“The fire at our Oromo American Twhid Islamic Center is another attack in a growing and disturbing trend of violence against our Muslim neighbors,” Mayor Melvin Carter said in a prepared statement shared through his Twitter account.

“An affront to one of our houses of worship is an affront to us all. Religious intolerance and bigotry have no place in Saint Paul.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact 651-291-1111, according to KARE 11.