<body><div>GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - One person has been arrested in connection to an arson investigation at a Gadsden mosque, authorities announced Saturday night.Gadsden Islamic Society officials said a masked person set fire to the front entrance Wednesday night.After investigations began, the FBI became involved and offered a reward for information in the search for a person who tried to set fire to one of the largest mosques in Alabama.Surveillance video captured the incident. The video showed flames and smoke after an object is thrown at the entrance. The FBI said an incendiary device was used.Saturday night, FBI - Birmingham and Gadsden Police said one person had been taken into custody in the investigation.Officials said the arrested came from coordinated investigative efforts and information from the public.“This arrest reflects the tireless work and close collaboration of our law enforcement partners at every level,” said Special Agent in Charge, FBI Birmingham, David R. Fitzgibbons. “I want to thank the Gadsden Police Department and the many investigators, analysts, and professional staff who contributed to this effort. Protecting the public and safeguarding the constitutional rights of all people remain at the heart of the FBI’s mission. “Justice Will Find You” is the FBI’s promise to the American people—relentlessly pursuing criminals, protecting victims, and safeguarding our nation. We remain committed to ensuring the safety of our communities and to carrying out this work with integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law.”Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford said the city will not tolerate violence of any kind.“We will not tolerate violence of any kind in our city. Everyone who calls Gadsden home deserves to feel safe, and we take that responsibility very seriously. I want to thank the men and women of the Gadsden Police Department, the FBI, and all of our law enforcement partners for their hard work in this investigation. Their dedication to protecting our community is something we can all be proud of.” Cofounder of the Gadsden Islamic Society, Yousef Alabbasi, was disappointed by the incident.“It’s something sad that this is happening in our small town of Gadsden.”Within minutes, the video showed the imam of the mosque helping put out the flames before they could spread. No one was injured.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=28Ix8p_1H66pd1R00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=28Ix8p_1H66pd1R00" width="1300" height="730" ><figcaption>FBI offering reward for information in Gadsden mosque arson investigation (FBI - Birmingham)</figcaption></figure>Alabbasi said the person in the video threw an object towards the front door of the mosque.“It’s a rubber mat that he threw a Molotov on it, it caught on fire,” he said.The Council on American-Islamic Relations had a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest.Saturday afternoon, FBI - Birmingham released a statement saying they were offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to identifying, arrest, and conviction of the suspect or suspects responsible for the arson attack.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=25XxoN_1H66pd1R00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=25XxoN_1H66pd1R00" width="1300" height="730" ><figcaption>FBI offering reward for information in Gadsden mosque arson investigation (FBI - Birmingham)</figcaption></figure>The Gadsden Islamic Society released a statement saying it is working with authorities on the investigation. The society condemned the crime and called it an attack on Alabama’s Muslim community and the right to practice faith in peace.<blockquote>“We praise and thank Almighty God for protecting our community and saving our house of worship from destruction. We also commend our community members for their vigilance and courage; by quickly putting out this fire, they prevented far more serious damage. We are in contact with local law enforcement about this incident, and we ask that swift action be taken to identify and apprehend the person responsible for this crime.This arson attack on the Gadsden Islamic Society is an attack on not only the Alabama Muslim community, but every person’s constitutional right to practice their faith in peace. We call on all of our state’s political leaders, including Governor-Elect Tuberville, to speak out against this crime, condemn anti-Muslim hate, and protect every community’s right to religious freedom.”Gadsden Islamic Society</blockquote>“I hope that he goes to the basics of the Bible, Quran or the Torah. They emphasize the importance of the neighbors, emphasize the importance of accepting people on what they believe; even if you don’t believe,” said Alabbasi.Officials said an investigation remains ongoing. Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.</div></body>

Block Source: WAFF

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - One person has been arrested in connection to an arson investigation at a Gadsden mosque, authorities announced Saturday night. Gadsden Islamic Society officials said a masked person set fire to the front entrance Wednesday night. After investigations began, the FBI became involved and offered a reward...

Arrest made in Gadsden mosque arson investigation

NewsBreak

GADSDEN, Ala. (WBRC) - One person has been arrested in connection to an arson investigation at a Gadsden mosque, authorities announced Saturday night. Gads

Arrest made in Gadsden mosque arson investigation

Comments