Escondido, California: A note referencing the recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand was found at the scene of a possible arson fire at a Southern California mosque, police said on Sunday.

Nobody was hurt, and members of the Islamic Centre of Escondido were able to extinguish the small blaze before firefighters around 3.15am local time, officials said.

An arson investigation is underway at the Islamic Centre of Escondido.Credit:AP

He told KNSD that worshippers are undeterred.

"We won't stop praying," Miller said. "We won't stop gathering."

Dustin Craun, the head of the Council of American-Islamic Relations in San Diego, said his civil rights group stands with the mosque.

"It is disturbing enough that some sick individual would attempt to burn a house of worship to the ground, but referencing the slayings in New Zealand is beyond the pale," he said in a statement. "While the majority of humanity has responded to the tragedy to draw closer to one another and refute hatred, a violent and hate-filled minority seeks further divisions.

"We are grateful that someone was inside the mosque and was able to act quickly to put the fire out. We ask anyone with information to come forward and contact the Escondido Police Department. We stand in solidarity with our community members who attend the Islamic Centre of Escondido."

AP, Washington Post

Source: Read Full Article