'Still in shock': Arson attack on Dublin Islamic centre leaves community afraid, despite arrest

A man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after carrying out an arson attack at an Islamic centre and mosque in Dublin, Ireland, leaving worshippers shocked and afraid. 

The Al Madinah Hall has had to temporarily close its doors following the attack, which took place on Monday, with Dublin police announcing the arrest of a man in his 40s.

"I'm very sad. I'm still in shock," Taj Mohammaed, General Secretary of the centre, told The New Arab. "I couldn't imagine this thing would happen. Never in our dreams did we think that this thing would happen in the mosque."

"I've been here for more than 15 years, this type of thing never happened," he continued.

The general secretary said CCTV footage appears to show a man approaching the main entrance at 3:00 PM, after the Dhur prayer, sprinkling what is believed to be petrol onto the wooden entrance door, then igniting it while remaining at the entrance.

"We have just regained access to the building and are trying to figure out the complete damage," a spokesperson for the Al Madinah Hall told The New Arab. "The floor of the one room above the main entrance and some part of the ceiling is damaged."

Worshippers inside promptly evacuated the building after the smoke alarm sounded, with Mohammaed adding that many are still in shock.

Smoke could be seen from the top of the main door despite attempts by a member of the local community to extinguish the fire.

Mohammaed clarified that the damage was mainly done to the front door and a small prayer room.

The blaze was quickly brought under control by Dublin Fire Brigade after members of the public reported a large plume of smoke rising from the building. No injuries were reported.

The incident led to traffic diversions and the suspension of the Luas tram system, with the area closed from Gardener Street to Marlborough Street, and Gardaí (Irish police) stationed at either end.

The Gardai said in a statement to The New Arab that a man in his 40s was arrested as part of the investigation and is currently detained, adding that they were investigating an "incident of criminal damage by fire" at the Talbot Street premises.

While witnesses reportedly heard the man shouting racially abusive comments, Irish broadcaster RTÉ said the authorities do not believe the attack was linked to racist or far-right motives.

Members of the Muslim community have condemned the attack.

Muslim Council of Britain's Secretary General Dr Wajid Akhter said the organisation is "deeply concerned that hate-filled criminals feel emboldened to commit such acts of violence and intimidation across the UK and Europe".

At the same time, the Irish Muslim Council described the attack as "deeply disturbing".

The attack comes amid a sharp rise in anti-Islam attacks in the United Kingdom, especially in Britain, where Muslim leaders and charities warn of record levels of hostility towards the community. The UK has witnessed a series of incidents in recent weeks, including a suspected arson in Blackburn, a firebombing of an imam’s house in Bolton, and assaults on Muslims in Edinburgh.

The Home Office's own guidance on the new definition of anti-Muslim hostility states that hate crimes targeting Muslims are "now at record levels".

The Muslim Council of Britain in June advised mosques to run lockdown drills, improve CCTV, strengthen police links, and prepare for security risks such as arson attempts, harassment at entrances, suspicious packages, and bomb threats.