In 2014, there have been 13 arson attacks against mosques in Sweden (for an overview click here). Within the last five days alone, three attacks on muslim places of worship have taken place. On Christmas Day, a fire bomb was thrown into a mosque in Eskilstuna, injuring five worshippers. A few days later, another arson attack against a mosque occured in Eslöv. And on New Year's Day, a petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in Uppsala.
With far right and islamophobic parties on the rise, Europe is currently witnessing an increasing surge of hatred against Muslims. The media are doing their part in inciting the mobs. Mainstream politicians and media must make clear, that hate attacks against places of worship, no matter of what religion, are always inexcusable, inacceptable and intolerable acts of terrorism. Heinious arson attacks against places of worship are not a new phenomenon in Europe. It is up to the people, to learn from past mistakes and make them history once and forever.
With far right and islamophobic parties on the rise, Europe is currently witnessing an increasing surge of hatred against Muslims. The media are doing their part in inciting the mobs. Mainstream politicians and media must make clear, that hate attacks against places of worship, no matter of what religion, are always inexcusable, inacceptable and intolerable acts of terrorism. Heinious arson attacks against places of worship are not a new phenomenon in Europe. It is up to the people, to learn from past mistakes and make them history once and forever.
Burning mosque in Sweden: A scene that reminds us of a dark past in Europe, which we believed we had overcome.