Without substantial evidence...because it is so easy... (And, the Solomi Moslem Community is calling for calm...) Yes, this is tragic, but ask important questions as to TRUE motivation. I would like to see the imams in the Masjids call a halt to jihad, but I dream big.... Counter-terrorism police investigate a fire at an Islamic centre amid fears it may have been targeted in a racial attack. The letters 'EDL' - the initials of the English Defence League - have been found scrawled on an Islamic community centre which was destroyed in a suspicious fire in north London.Counter-terrorism officers with the Metropolitan Police have been drafted in to investigate the blaze in Muswell Hill, amid fears it may have been started deliberately in a racially-motivated attack.
Most of the roof of the two-storey Bravanese Centre in Coppetts Road, which was being used as a mosque, collapsed in the fire.
A police spokesman said the blaze is being treated as suspicious, adding that although no arrests have yet been made, a team of specialist officers would carry out "vigorous and thorough investigation".
Firefighters spent over an hour bringing the blaze under control
EDL leader Tommy Robinson told Sky News he does not believe one of the group's supporters was behind the blaze.
He said members have always been told not to attack mosques or places of worship and claimed there was a "nationwide campaign" to blacken the name of the group.
Local resident Abu Bakar Ali said he was "appalled and deeply saddened" by the fire, which broke out at around 3.15am.
"Thankfully no one was injured ... but the effects of this fire will be felt deeply not just by the Somali community but throughout the entire neighbourhood and beyond," he added.
Roads around the community centre in Muswell Hill have been cordoned off
Although there has been no confirmation the fire is linked to the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich last month, there has been a significant increase in reports of attacks against Muslims since his death.
Faith Matters, an organisation that works to reduce extremism, said 11 mosques were targeted in the days after the killing, despite an appeal from the soldier's family for calm.
Fiyaz Mughal, a spokesman for the group, said: "Bearing in mind this is close to Woolwich, bearing in mind that it houses Islamic activities, bearing in mind that they have found alleged EDL graffiti, there's a strong likelihood that this could be an anti-Muslim incident.
"We know that, online, there is a huge amount of anti-Muslim hate. When it moves into the physical world, it is extremely concerning."
Police officers search for evidence at the scene
Chief Superintendent Adrian Usher, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "I have spoken to community leaders and assured them that a thorough investigation is being conducted.
"The safety of our communities is always our priority and we are consulting widely, offering our support and reassurance.
"All communities can be confident that they have our support and I can be contacted personally to answer their concerns."
A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said it took 35 firefighters nearly an hour and a half to bring the blaze under control.
The fire happened in Muswell Hill, north London
Daniel McInanny, who lives near the centre, described hearing a loud bang shortly after 3am.
"At first I thought it was the bin men collecting the rubbish but when I looked out of the window, I saw an inferno," he said. "The whole building was alight."
No one was injured in the fire, although a woman living next door to the centre was treated for shock by paramedics.
Two neighbouring properties were evacuated.
Lynne Featherstone, the MP for nearby Hornsey and Wood Green, said the centre had been a "valuable source of advice, education and support" for the local community.
