Arson at MA Mosque Now Seen as Act of Juvenile Vandalism, Not Hate

December 15, 2004

Source: The Boston Channel

Wire Service: AP

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/3998284/detail.html

On December 15, 2004 The Boston Channel reported, "it was the pursuit of money and candy -- not a hatred of Muslims -- that led seven 15-year-old boys to break into the Al-Baqi Islamic Center and set a fire that gutted the mosque, authorities said... Three of the teens pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Springfield Juvenile Court to charges of arson, breaking and entering and larceny. The other four are scheduled to be arraigned on the same charges in Juvenile Court on Wednesday... All of the boys live near the mosque, but none of them or their families are members... The investigation is ongoing."