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Fire destroys mosque
www.sbsun.com
Fire destroys mosque
Hatred not ruled out
By Kelly Rush, Staff Writer
ADELANTO - An early Friday morning blaze that destroyed a mosque in a cemetery has prompted the FBI to investigate whether the fire was started by someone motivated by hate.
Laura Bosley, an FBI spokeswoman, said the agency has not determined whether the fire that leveled the mosque at the United Islamic Youth Organization and Cemetery is a hate crime.
She said an investigation into the blaze, which caused $225,000 in damage, is ongoing.
The cemetery's caretakers, Ali and Michelle Khawaja, are hesitant to label the incident a hate crime. Michelle Khawaja said she doesn't want to believe anyone in the community could be capable of something so cruel.
"It stood for community; it stood for brotherhood,' she said of the mosque. "I'm an American and a convert, and I would like to think that my American brothers and sisters believe in the rights of all people to freely worship.'
The 1,800-square-foot Muslim prayer hall was a place where people went to meditate and grieve over the loss of loved ones.
The modest white building with two minarets was more than just a gathering place for the Muslim faithful in this High Desert town; it was a symbol of Islam and its fundamental beliefs, Michelle Khawaja said.
The blaze reduced the simple structure to a pile of smoldering ash and rubble. Authorities have not concluded whether it was started intentionally, said San Bernardino County Fire Department spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.
She said the fire was reported at 4:24 a.m. by a long-haul trucker who saw smoke as he drove north on Highway 395. When firefighters arrived about 20 minutes later, the walls of the mosque already were caving in, she said.
Fire investigators believe the blaze was started by an open flame such as a lighter because the building lacks power sources such as electricity, propane or gas.
"We can't say it's arson, but we haven't ruled that out yet,' Martinez said.
The FBI reported to the scene, as well as officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Sheriff's Department, Martinez said.
Bosley said the FBI always investigates suspicious fires that occur at places of worship.
She said there were no threats made to the mosque or its members.
"We haven't ruled out anything,' she said.
No other area of the cemetery was desecrated on Friday.
The 35-acre property, surrounded by miles of scrub brush and thin stands of Joshua trees, holds 500 graves, with space for another 2,000, said Ali Khawaja.
Michelle Khawaja said spiritual leader Shaikh Zaid Hussien Assfy bought the Adelanto property because of its inexpensive price and founded the United Islamic Youth Organization and Cemetery. Ali Khawaja said the cemetery was built in 1987 and the mosque was erected about three years later.
Some of the items lost in the fire are priceless, such as a black velvet cloth with the 99 names of Allah sewn on in gold, Michelle Khawaja said. Also lost were about 1,000 books, including copies of the Quran.
The fire is just the latest in a string of vandalisms at the property. Buildings were burglarized four times in the last two weeks, Michelle Khawaja said.
She believes the same people are responsible for the burglaries and the fire.
"Maybe someone lost a son or daughter in the Iraq war?' she said. "I sympathize with that person, but there are more constructive ways to express your grief.'
Michelle Khawaja said the building is insured and that the board of directors that oversees the grounds will rebuild the structure.
John Bridges, an assistant caretaker at the cemetery, said he doesn't know why anyone would travel to the desert in the middle of the night to light a mosque on fire.
"This church was not political,' he said. "It was where the dead are buried."
Salam Al-Marayati, director of The Muslim Public Affairs Council, a Muslim advocacy group, said he was briefed about the Adelanto fire by FBI officials early Friday.
Al-Marayati held a news conference in Los Angeles to talk about what he called an increase in acts of hostility against Muslims.
"Hatemongers are sending a message they're not tolerating any Muslim presence in America,' he said by phone. "We need to bring people together in solidarity (and say) Muslims are an integral part of America and we will be united against hate." - Contact staff writer Kelly Rush at [email protected] or (909) 386-3887.
Fire destroys mosque
Hatred not ruled out
By Kelly Rush, Staff Writer
ADELANTO - An early Friday morning blaze that destroyed a mosque in a cemetery has prompted the FBI to investigate whether the fire was started by someone motivated by hate.
Laura Bosley, an FBI spokeswoman, said the agency has not determined whether the fire that leveled the mosque at the United Islamic Youth Organization and Cemetery is a hate crime.
She said an investigation into the blaze, which caused $225,000 in damage, is ongoing.
The cemetery's caretakers, Ali and Michelle Khawaja, are hesitant to label the incident a hate crime. Michelle Khawaja said she doesn't want to believe anyone in the community could be capable of something so cruel.
"It stood for community; it stood for brotherhood,' she said of the mosque. "I'm an American and a convert, and I would like to think that my American brothers and sisters believe in the rights of all people to freely worship.'
The 1,800-square-foot Muslim prayer hall was a place where people went to meditate and grieve over the loss of loved ones.
The modest white building with two minarets was more than just a gathering place for the Muslim faithful in this High Desert town; it was a symbol of Islam and its fundamental beliefs, Michelle Khawaja said.
The blaze reduced the simple structure to a pile of smoldering ash and rubble. Authorities have not concluded whether it was started intentionally, said San Bernardino County Fire Department spokeswoman Tracey Martinez.
She said the fire was reported at 4:24 a.m. by a long-haul trucker who saw smoke as he drove north on Highway 395. When firefighters arrived about 20 minutes later, the walls of the mosque already were caving in, she said.
Fire investigators believe the blaze was started by an open flame such as a lighter because the building lacks power sources such as electricity, propane or gas.
"We can't say it's arson, but we haven't ruled that out yet,' Martinez said.
The FBI reported to the scene, as well as officials with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Sheriff's Department, Martinez said.
Bosley said the FBI always investigates suspicious fires that occur at places of worship.
She said there were no threats made to the mosque or its members.
"We haven't ruled out anything,' she said.
No other area of the cemetery was desecrated on Friday.
The 35-acre property, surrounded by miles of scrub brush and thin stands of Joshua trees, holds 500 graves, with space for another 2,000, said Ali Khawaja.
Michelle Khawaja said spiritual leader Shaikh Zaid Hussien Assfy bought the Adelanto property because of its inexpensive price and founded the United Islamic Youth Organization and Cemetery. Ali Khawaja said the cemetery was built in 1987 and the mosque was erected about three years later.
Some of the items lost in the fire are priceless, such as a black velvet cloth with the 99 names of Allah sewn on in gold, Michelle Khawaja said. Also lost were about 1,000 books, including copies of the Quran.
The fire is just the latest in a string of vandalisms at the property. Buildings were burglarized four times in the last two weeks, Michelle Khawaja said.
She believes the same people are responsible for the burglaries and the fire.
"Maybe someone lost a son or daughter in the Iraq war?' she said. "I sympathize with that person, but there are more constructive ways to express your grief.'
Michelle Khawaja said the building is insured and that the board of directors that oversees the grounds will rebuild the structure.
John Bridges, an assistant caretaker at the cemetery, said he doesn't know why anyone would travel to the desert in the middle of the night to light a mosque on fire.
"This church was not political,' he said. "It was where the dead are buried."
Salam Al-Marayati, director of The Muslim Public Affairs Council, a Muslim advocacy group, said he was briefed about the Adelanto fire by FBI officials early Friday.
Al-Marayati held a news conference in Los Angeles to talk about what he called an increase in acts of hostility against Muslims.
"Hatemongers are sending a message they're not tolerating any Muslim presence in America,' he said by phone. "We need to bring people together in solidarity (and say) Muslims are an integral part of America and we will be united against hate." - Contact staff writer Kelly Rush at [email protected] or (909) 386-3887.