Mosque comes under attack in northern Netherlands

By Abdullah

DRACHTEN, Netherlands

A mosque in northern Drachten town has come under an arson attack, according to the manager of Islamic Center Drachten Foundation on Sunday.

The mosque, visited mostly by Moroccan-origin people, is operated by the foundation.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, foundation manager Khalid Bennaceur said: “Community members who came to pray in the morning said they smelled turpentine inside the mosque.

"Later, when we came for noon prayer, we realized that there were burn marks on the wall and windows had been broken at the back side of the mosque.”

The attack took place at around 4 a.m. (0300 GMT).

He added that a person was seen breaking the back window of the mosque and running away after the fire.

Police have begun an investigation into the incident, he added.