A Florida Muslim advocacy group is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set the fire.

THONOTOSASSA – Hillsborough County fire investigators have ruled the overnight fire at the Islamic Society of New Tampa to be an arson.

Fire officials said that rumors of gunshots through the exterior door at the mosque were unfounded. Fire officials are asking that the public call 1-877-662-7766 with any information..

The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who set the fire.

CAIR-FL,  the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, said a board member of the Islamic Society of New Tampa / Daarus Salaam Mosque commonly referred as the New Tampa Mosque was the first to hear of the fire. He was notified about 2:15 a.m. by the private security-alarm company informing him that the Mosque sprinkler system had gone off most likely because of a fire. Mosque officials arrived at the property about 2:30 a.m., around the same time as the first responders. CAIR said they learned that the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue dispatch received a call about 2:09 a.m. and immediately moved to the area.The mosque is located in Thonotosassa.

“We congratulate the Hillsborough County first responders for their prompt response to this tragic situation. It is worrisome that our community have fallen victim of what appears to be another hate crime. This time another Florida mosque has been targeted in a crime that could have easily taken the life of any worshiper. Our prayers are with the New Tampa Mosque community; and we are grateful that nobody was physically hurt. CAIR-Florida urgently call all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to be on top of the investigation of what appears to be a heinous act of terror against the Muslim community,” said Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-Florida communications director.

For information about CAIR-FLorida, go to cairflorida.org.

CAIR-Florida | Mosque Fire | Hate Crime | Hillsborough Fire Rescue | TB Reporter

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