California Mosque Fire May Have Been Arson

A mosque at an Islamic cemetery was destroyed by a fire, and investigators said it may have been intentionally set.

June 5, 2005

ADELANTO, Calif. (AP) -- A mosque at an Islamic cemetery was destroyed by a fire, and investigators said it may have been intentionally set.

Fire officials said the Friday blaze at the United Islamic Youth Organization mosque is considered suspicious because the building did not have electricity or gas service.

Only two walls remained standing after the fire, which also destroyed Qurans and prayer rugs, said Seyed Mousavi, a mosque board member.

The mosque served as a spiritual center for visitors to a cemetery of 600 graves, which all face toward the holy city of Mecca.

''If this is arson, that's a big insult to our community,'' said Mustafa Kuko, director of the Islamic Center of Riverside. ''The Muslim looks at the mosque as a home. They don't have all the clues yet, but it's like someone has burned down one of our homes.''

Federal investigators are assisting in the case.