Police investigating ignited gas cylinder attack after fires near mosques in Adelaide

Police are investigating fire attacks on mosques around Adelaide, with a gas bottle set alight at Woodville North.

Police are investigating a series of fire attacks on mosques around Adelaide over the past week.

The most recent attack occurred about 2am on Monday, when police and fire crews were called to a mosque in Woodville North.

Police said a gas bottle had been set alight in an open area adjacent to the footpath on Sheffield Street.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze at the scene.

It comes just four days after police were called to two separate fires on Marion Road near the Marion mosque.

About 7pm on October 17, officers attended to two grass fires in Park Holme, but the blazes had been extinguished by a member of the public before police arrived.

It is believed the grass fires were publicly lit.

A police spokesman said investigations into the fires are continuing, but they are not believed to have been linked to Monday’s attack.

Someone attempted to ignite a gas cylinder near the fence of Al-Khalil Mosque at the corner of Audley Street and Sheffield Street in Woodville. Picture: Islamic Society of South Australia

Worshippers have told 7NEWS they are on edge after two Adelaide mosques were targeted in arson attacks amid claims of a surge in hate crimes since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/DWEhH6wDU2#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/LZDFWVj7Pz

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) October 24, 2023

“Police are investigating but do not believe they are racially motivated at this time,” the spokesman said.

Ahmed Zreika, Islamic Society of SA President, told The Advertiser he believed the incidents were “hate crimes.”

“This is a hate crime because the perpetrator committed the offence due to their hatred towards Muslims,” Mr Zreika said.

Police are investigating a grass fire outside a mosque in Marion. Pictures: Supplied

The Islamic Society of SA said they are thankful no one was injured. Pictures: Supplied

“There is no doubt that what is happening in Palestine and Israel, and the support of western media and politicians for Israel has fuelled this mindset among a certain segment of people, causing fear of Islam and Muslims to increase.

“Based on the report from the Islamophobia Register Australia website, there has been a tenfold increase in Islamophobia in Australia since the 7th of October.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong took to social media to share her disappointment in the attacks, saying she was appalled to hear the news.

“All of us - including every political leader - must stand together against Islamophobia,” she Tweeted.

“We all have a responsibility to call out discrimination, hate speech and prejudice wherever we see it.”

I am appalled by reports of arson at Adelaide mosques this week.

All of us – including every political leader - must stand together against Islamophobia.

We all have a responsibility to call out discrimination, hate speech and prejudice wherever we see it.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 24, 2023

Police minister Joe Szakacs condemned the “appalling act of hate,” saying attacks on “places of worship are appalling and completely unacceptable.”

“I have personally spoken to leaders of the Al-Khalil Mosque to expressed my support and solidarity with their community,” he said.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, and to safely practice their religion.

“A person’s place of faith should be their place of safety.”

In a post shared to Facebook on Monday, the Islamic Society of South Australia condemned the actions of those responsible, and said they were thankful there were no injuries.

Originally published as Police investigating ignited gas cylinder attack after fires near mosques in Adelaide