Arson Cited as Probable Cause Report by Saleem Shah Khan Special to Pakistan Link
SACRAMENTO: A dream of Muslims to have a beautiful mosque and a center in a remote city of California, Yuba Cityisno more. The $1 million mosque was burned to ground last Thursday night. The 12,000 squarest mosques. Located on Tierra Buena Road out. Side Yuba City, about 50 miles north of the state capital Sacramento, was still in the process of construction but mostly complete, its distinguished dome and beautiful minaret lay into ashes as everything but the entrance arch was burned down. Local fire officers have indicated that this could be arson by some bigots.
Mr. Khalid Sacked, a Pakistani immigrant, living in Yuba City since 1958, had donated 5 1/4 acres of land for the mosque and an Islamic center. Somber faced Khalid Sacked told this reporter that about 11:30 PM Thursday, Sept 1. Two men came to his house which is about a few blocks away from now the destroyed mosque, and told him about the fire, He immediately called the 911 and ran toward the mosque. According to Mr, Saeed when he reached the site he saw the back area of the mosque completely engulfed in the flames. Five minutes later, the Yuba City fire fighters came but it ‘was too late ‘as there was nothing left to be saved. According to the Fire Chief of Yuba City Mike Johner, at that point the structure was beyond hope. The whole mosque is completely destroyed: The entrance arches, however, were still standing, but according to the Fire Department, they have to be demolished too. The Mosque was insured.
‘The Fire Department and the local people have expressed serious doubts about the origin of the blaze; they say this could be an act of arson. Imam of the mosque, Mohammad Younus, told this reporter that he drove by the mosque around 10:45 on his way to work and did not see anything. The prestigious, and elegant mosque was standing with any sign of damage, “An hour later, it was gone, just the ashes were left, Imam Younus added. According to another person, a man with running a motorcycle in the compound of the mosque was seen a week ago, but the Organizer didn’t pay the attention. The mosque was ninety percent complete and was due to open by the end of this year.
Many delegations from around California reached the site offered their sympathies to the arca Muslims. Local Christian population is also visibly shaken by this act, and has donated some money for the rebuilding of the mosque. Saleem Garsi, a Muslim and the: county jailer has offered a $1000 reward for the information ceding to arrest of the culprits, Local. Muslims including Mr, Khalid Saeed have vowed to rebuild the mosque. *’Allah helped us build the mosque; Allah will help us build it again.”* They said.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1994
