Molotov cocktails were thrown into a Crimean Mosque

Unknown  persons tried to set a mosque on fire in Skalyste village of Bakhchsarai district in Crimea.

Several bottles of Molotov cocktail were thrown into the mosque, as reported NEWSru. ua referring to the press service of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Crimea.

“On the night of 25 to 26 April unknown persons tried to set fire to a mosque in Skalyste village Bakhchsarai area. In the building of the mosque was thrown several glass bottles with petrol bombs, but fortunately, the mosque is not significantly affected," commented the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims.

As a result of the incident, which occurred at 4.30 am, the local Muslim community called law enforcement.

Chairman of the local Muslim community "Yildiz Nury" Safet Zaitov believes that the mosque has not been significantly affected, as it is a holy place, "I think their arson attempt failed because God protects this place, a holy place. We see that they have thrown a Molotov cocktail on the roof, but they failed to set fire to a mosque.”

The mosque in Skalyste village was built in 1844. In Soviet times, it was destroyed and  a warehouse was built in its place. In 2002, the building of the warehouse was purchased by the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Crimea and transferred to the use of the local Muslim community. Currently the mosque has been renovated, and it is the only one per three surrounding villages. In Salyste village, according to the head of the Muslim community, more than 160 Crimean Tatar families live.

Note that six months ago, unknown persons attempted to set fire to a mosque in Sonyachna Dolyna village near Sudak in Crimea. Chairman of Majlis Refat Chubarov believes the arson attempt in Sonyachna Dolyna village  to be “another barbaric event in an infinite number of crimes committed by the occupying regime in Crimea.”