Russia: Unknown men throw pig’s head, then set fire to mosque in Chelyabinsk

On August 31, unidentified persons threw a pig's head near a mosque in Chesma, Chelyabinsk region, Russia, that opened last fall.

After less than two weeks, the building was set on fire by unknown individuals who filmed themselves pouring flammable liquid on the building, as confirmed by the regional administration, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Chief Mufti of the Urals Federal District, Rinat Rayev, Caliber.Az reports, citing 74.ru.

The fire, as specified by the Chesmensky District Administration, was extinguished by a security guard.

"There was no damage, and law enforcement is investigating the incident," the municipality concluded.

"It's clear why this is being done. Similar provocations have occurred before: they made cartoons and burned the Quran. They're trying to incite hatred among believers or something else. But believers, Muslims, understand everything, and outreach efforts are being conducted, and sermons speak about it, and they correctly understand that this provocation is being deliberately carried out to destabilise the situation within the country."

According to Rayev, the mosque in Chesma continues to operate as usual.

Law enforcement agencies in the Chelyabinsk region declined to comment.

By Khagan Isayev