This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/27/world/europe/sweden-fears-hate-crimes-after-fire-at-mosque.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tensions in Sweden After 5 Are Injured in Fire at Mosque Tension Over Swedish Immigration Rises After Suspected Arson at Mosque Hurts 5
(about 4 hours later)
LONDON — With fears of racially motivated violence on the rise in Europe, political leaders in Sweden on Friday condemned a suspected arson attack at a mosque that injured five people and raised tension in a country where immigration has become a significant political issue. LONDON — With fears of racially motivated violence on the rise in Europe, political leaders in Sweden on Friday condemned a suspected arson attack at a mosque that injured five people and raised tension in a country where immigration has become a significant political issue.
The fire broke out at the mosque, in a residential area in the town of Eskilstuna, about 70 miles west of Stockholm, on Thursday with 15 to 20 people inside.The fire broke out at the mosque, in a residential area in the town of Eskilstuna, about 70 miles west of Stockholm, on Thursday with 15 to 20 people inside.
The country’s justice minister, Morgan Johansson, called the suspected arson “disgusting” and told Swedish Radio News that he hoped the culprits would be arrested. Though the motive is still unclear, he added that it was hard to ascribe it to anything other than hatred toward Muslims as a group, and Islam as a religion.The country’s justice minister, Morgan Johansson, called the suspected arson “disgusting” and told Swedish Radio News that he hoped the culprits would be arrested. Though the motive is still unclear, he added that it was hard to ascribe it to anything other than hatred toward Muslims as a group, and Islam as a religion.
Alice Bah Kuhnke, Sweden’s culture minister, told the radio station, “If the details are correct, then it is a direct attack against religious freedom in our country.” The station’s website also reported that Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called the attack reprehensible and said more must be done to stop attacks against Muslims and places of worship.Alice Bah Kuhnke, Sweden’s culture minister, told the radio station, “If the details are correct, then it is a direct attack against religious freedom in our country.” The station’s website also reported that Prime Minister Stefan Löfven called the attack reprehensible and said more must be done to stop attacks against Muslims and places of worship.
The five injured people were treated for smoke inhalation and cuts. A police spokesman, Lars Franzell, told Reuters that a witness saw someone throw an object through a window of the mosque. No arrests have been made.The five injured people were treated for smoke inhalation and cuts. A police spokesman, Lars Franzell, told Reuters that a witness saw someone throw an object through a window of the mosque. No arrests have been made.
Sweden has been one of the most welcoming nations in Europe for refugees, but migration has become a prominent political issue in recent years. The right-wing Sweden Democrats party, which campaigns against immigration, has become the country’s third largest and recently voted against the national budget, prompting a government collapse and forcing new elections, set for March.Sweden has been one of the most welcoming nations in Europe for refugees, but migration has become a prominent political issue in recent years. The right-wing Sweden Democrats party, which campaigns against immigration, has become the country’s third largest and recently voted against the national budget, prompting a government collapse and forcing new elections, set for March.
According to Swedish media reports, black swastikas were painted on the front door of a mosque in Stockholm in January, and in December 2013, right-wingers attacked people participating in an anti-racism demonstration in a suburb of Stockholm, injuring three people.According to Swedish media reports, black swastikas were painted on the front door of a mosque in Stockholm in January, and in December 2013, right-wingers attacked people participating in an anti-racism demonstration in a suburb of Stockholm, injuring three people.
Across Europe, there are growing worries about a rise in attacks on minorities, including Muslims and Jews.Across Europe, there are growing worries about a rise in attacks on minorities, including Muslims and Jews.
Figures released in Britain show an increase in anti-Muslim attacks and hate crimes after the brutal killing of a British soldier by two Muslims in a south London street in May 2013.Figures released in Britain show an increase in anti-Muslim attacks and hate crimes after the brutal killing of a British soldier by two Muslims in a south London street in May 2013.
The Metropolitan Police in London recorded a 45 percent increase in religious hate crimes from April 2012 to April 2014, with the number of offenses rising to 915 from 631.The Metropolitan Police in London recorded a 45 percent increase in religious hate crimes from April 2012 to April 2014, with the number of offenses rising to 915 from 631.
In May, four people were fatally shot at the Jewish Museum in Brussels. A fire damaged a mosque in Strasbourg, France, in November.In May, four people were fatally shot at the Jewish Museum in Brussels. A fire damaged a mosque in Strasbourg, France, in November.
In November, Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said “hatred of Jews” was on the rise once more in his country and across Europe, blaming the trend on the increased violence in the Middle East.In November, Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said “hatred of Jews” was on the rise once more in his country and across Europe, blaming the trend on the increased violence in the Middle East.
In July, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in the German town of Wuppertal that had been set on fire by Nazis in November 1938.In July, during the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in the German town of Wuppertal that had been set on fire by Nazis in November 1938.