A mosque in Peacehaven, near Brighton, was set on fire on Saturday night while two people were inside. Police are treating the incident as a suspected hate crime, marking a disturbing moment amid rising religious tensions in the UK.
Doorbell footage shows two masked individuals attempting to force the mosque’s door before pouring gasoline on the entrance and setting it alight around 10 p.m. local time, according to eyewitness reports.
At the time, the mosque’s chairman and another worshipper, both in their 60s, had stayed behind for tea after evening prayers. They fled after hearing a loud bang and seeing flames spreading across the main entrance.
“They could have easily died,” said a mosque manager. “These people came with full intent to cause maximum damage.”
The small Peacehaven Mosque, opened four years ago, serves 10 to 15 worshippers. Police reported that the fire also destroyed a car outside belonging to the chairman, who relies on it for his taxi work. “Unfortunately, just a shell of his vehicle is left,” the manager said.
No physical injuries were reported, but police said the emotional impact on the local Muslim community will be “felt widely.” Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna confirmed an increased police presence across local places of worship.
Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary condemned the attack on X, calling it “appalling” and stressing the mosque’s importance to the local community.
This attack follows the deadly attack outside a synagogue in Manchester last week, which claimed the lives of two Jewish worshippers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that “hatred is rising once again, and Britain must defeat it once again.”
The mosque had previously faced minor harassment, such as eggs thrown at the building and verbal abuse. “We never expected an attack on this level,” the manager said. “Everyone feels unsafe now.”
The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement against hate crimes and greater efforts to foster religious tolerance in Britain.
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