Masjid Al Falah in Cheetham Hill Burnt in an Arson Attack in Manchester

Police and Fire crews were called to Masjid Al Falah on Heywood Street in Cheetham Hill on Sunday 9th December 2018 at around 10.30pm after a fire had been started on the ground floor.

Crews from three fire engines tackled the ground-floor blaze at about 22:30 GMT on Sunday. Nobody was injured.



Police are treating a fire at a mosque in Cheetham Hill on Sunday night as a hate crime.



Firefighters spent several hours battling to put out the flames which damaged building materials, windows, part of the ceiling and a carpet that the Mosque had only recently installed.



The Mosque was undergoing refurbishment and the fire destroyed building materials, windows, part of the ceiling and a carpet that had only recently installed, the arson attack has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.



Some worshippers, who have attended for decades, say it has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.

One taxi driver said his car windows have been smashed several times.

He said the problems were even worse when Al-Falah was based directly across the road in the former Apollo pub.

"People weren't happy when it became a mosque," the taxi driver said. They smashed the windows and put petrol bombs through the letter box, sometimes there was racial abuse.



Detective Inspector Muz Kernain of GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said: “Fortunately, no-one was injured in the fire but had it been earlier in the day, this could have been a very different story.

“Attacking a place of worship is truly disgusting and I can assure you we will not be taking this lightly.

“It’s so important we find who has done this – the pain and upset they have caused is deplorable.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2220 of 09/12/18 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Hate crimes can be reported via the True Vision website at report-it.org.uk