Islamic center set alight in London, members allege police negligence

By Zuhal Demirci and Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) — After a women-oriented Islamic center was vandalized and set alight in west London, police are still unsure of the motive and perpetrators, while members say authorities could have prevented the blaze.

Uneasiness has spread through London's Muslim community after Al-Falah Institute in Hayes, a charitable foundation and education center for women, became the target of vandalism and arson last week.

After disabling the alarm system, the unidentified attackers broke into the building at around 10 p.m. local time (2100GMT) on Sept. 26. They damaged walls, chairs, and carpets, as well as hundreds of issues of the Quran, Islam's holy book, and other religious publications with dark-colored spray paint.

After this first incident, members of the institute called the police but were turned down, allegedly told that officers were busy and would only be able to make it to the scene the next day.

Another attack followed after some time.

The company responsible for the institute's alarm system contacted management to tell them the security cameras were completely black and it looked like there was a fire in the building. Firefighters were en route to the site, they said.

When they got there, members of the center and officials were met by a significant blaze and massive material damage.

The arson attack damaged the ceiling, doors, windows, walls, and furniture, while many religious books, including copies of the Quran were burned.

Police evacuated the building the next day and it was sealed by officials from the insurance company.

- Motive 'unclear'

Speaking to Anadolu, the center's chairperson Mariam Tariq said the police shrugged off their call after the first attack, saying they were "too busy."

They could have prevented the blaze from ever occurring had they come on time, she stated.

Tariq underlined the importance of the Al-Falah institute, especially for women, noting that the center had become a second home for many people since it opened in 2010.

"This institute is very important for us. We women gathered here. We read our Quran ... There are classes, coffee mornings, and cooking classes, and people love this place," she said.

Tariq was unsure of whether the attack could be Islamophobic in nature, but did not rule out the possibility.

Also speaking to Anadolu, another member of the institute, Ferzana, expressed her sadness over the incident.

Preferring to mention her first name only, Ferzana said that despite the adversity, they were very lucky that nobody was hurt in the attack. "Allah will help us inshallah. We trust Allah," she said, voicing hope.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the fire was being treated as an act of arson.

"Several hours earlier a burglary was reported at the same location. The incidents are being treated as linked," said a spokesperson for the police department in response to questions by Anadolu.

In its written reply, the police refrained from touching on whether they turned down the first call from the center.

"The motive remains unclear and police are maintaining an open mind as the investigation progresses," the spokesperson noted, adding that they have been in regular contact with the center and would continue to provide support, as would other local officials.