Police have been urged to clarify whether an arson attack on the mosque in Peacehaven was an act of terrorism.
Sussex Police said that the force was treating the fire which damaged the front entrance of the mosque and a car outside as a hate crime.
But Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali said: “The police need to urgently seek clarity on the motives of this attack and whether this hate crime constitutes an act of terrorism.
“People were inside the mosque when it was firebombed and people in this community will be feeling frightened and targeted for their faith.”
Sussex Police said that they were called to reports of an arson attack in Phyllis Avenue, in which no one was injured, just before 10pm last night (Saturday 4 October).
This afternoon, the force released images of two balaclava-clad people seen in footage approaching the front door, before spraying accelerant on the entrance to the mosque and starting a fire.
Detectives are hunting for the suspects as they investigate arson with intent to endanger life.
Mosque leaders said: “We are deeply saddened by the shocking arson attack that took place at Peacehaven Community Centre on the evening of Saturday 4 October.
“While the incident has caused damage to our building and vehicles, we are profoundly grateful that no one was injured.
“This hateful act does not represent our community or our town. Peacehaven has always been a place of kindness, respect and mutual support and we will continue to embody those values.
“We ask everyone to reject division and respond to hate with unity and compassion.”
The mosque is expected to remain closed until the police have completed their investigations.
Chris Ward, the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, tweetd: “Appalled by the disgusting arson attack on Peacehaven mosque last night.
“That there were no injuries is purely by chance. I have spoken with Sussex Police this morning and I’m very grateful to them and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service for their response.
“This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected.”
Images and footage being shared online show a burnt-out car at the entrance to the mosque.
Police said that one person in the pictures was wearing a distinctive black jacket with a Pre London logo in white on the chest while the other had bright red gloves.
Detective Inspector Gavin Patch said: “This was an appalling and reckless attack which we know will have left many people feeling less safe.
“We are treating this as an arson with intent to endanger life and are continuing to pursue a number of lines of inquiry to identify those responsible.”
The Green leader of Lewes District Council said that she was “shocked and saddened” by the fire.
Councillor Zoe Nicholson said: “This is a deeply distressing incident that strikes at the heart of our community.
“On behalf of Lewes District Council, I want to express our unwavering support and solidarity with the Muslim community in Peacehaven and across our district. Be in no doubt, we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna said: “We understand the concerns this has caused within the community, and the impact that will be felt by the Muslim community as a result.
“There is already an increased police presence at the scene and there are also additional patrols taking place to provide reassurance at other places of worship across the county.
“Sussex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime and there is no place for hate across the county.”
She appealed for anyone with information or footage captured on CCTV, dashcam, doorbell or mobile phone to contact the police.
Mosque leaders thanked the emergency services and the local community for their support in the wake of the fire, saying: “We also extend heartfelt thanks to our neighbours, local faith leaders and all those who have reached out in solidarity.
“Your support strengthens us and reminds us that love and understanding will always overcome hate and division.”
Mothin Ali added: “My thoughts are with everyone at the Masjid (mosque) and the wider Muslim community in Sussex who will be feeling shaken and fearful today.
“Protecting Jews and Muslims in their places of worship must be a priority. We must redouble our commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder and bring communities together.”
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said: “We utterly condemn what appears to have been an arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven.
“Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this.
“Over recent weeks there has been a lot of focus on how we have become a divided kingdom. But we are the United Kingdom. And we need to move forward against hate together.”
Detective Inspector Patch added: “We are releasing images of two people we wish to speak with, shown in the footage, wearing distinctive clothing. We believe there are people in the community who know who these two are.
“If you have any information, no matter how small you think it might be, we urge you to do the right thing and come forward before any further harm is caused.
“If you have any information relating to this incident, please contact us immediately by calling 999, quoting Operation Spey.”
It’s hard to see how this wouldn’t qualify as terrorism under UK law. The Terrorism Act 2000 defines terrorism as the use or threat of action designed to intimidate the public or a section of the public, for the purpose of advancing a political, religious, racial or ideological cause.
Setting fire to a mosque, a place of worship, and whilst people were inside, is inherently designed to terrorise a faith community. Whether or not the perpetrators belong to an organised group is secondary to intent: this was meant to instil fear.
Classifying it merely as a “hate crime” risks downplaying the seriousness of the act and the fear it creates among Muslim communities. By both the spirit and letter of the law, this should be treated as terrorism.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/1
Bro, you don’t even have a job, you are certainly no solicitor.
I can only explain it to you. I can’t understand it for you.
I read about this attack when checking the news on Sunday morning, but dozily moved on to other news stories.
As it happens, I then needed to go to Seaford on Sunday afternoon.
Driving through Peacehaven, I then saw the mosque from the A259, and I saw the burnt out car outside, and with three police cars still on duty.
That view was enough to make me pretty upset – upset that people should do such a thing.
I have no religious faith myself, but my Mum, sadly no longer with us, was brought up in the Anglican faith, and her church provided a community for her. Individuals from the church supported her in later life, just as she had supported their families when she was able to.
All faiths do that, and when we attack another faith, or their places of worship, we do nothing but create anger and division. Peacehaven, as central Brighton, is full of communities who happily like each other as neighbours.
The world is a better place when we accept difference and accept alternative beliefs – not when we take out personal anger over national and international issues on one local group who simply don’t look like us.
The world is descending into pitch-fork politics, because we’re led by divisive ego maniacs with their own attention-seeking agenda . Sad.
I hope they find the idiots who did this.
Taxi was the obvious target, not the building! Taxi wars!