Orlando nightclub shooter's mosque damaged in arson attack

The mosque attended by the American Muslim mass murderer Omar Mateen has been damaged in an arson attack.

Mateen murdered 49 people and wounded 53 the worst mass shooting in US history at the gay Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in June. He was himself killed in a police shootout.

Flames were seen rising from the mosque and police called, according to Major David Thompson of St Lucie County Sheriff's office.

The attack occurred at the start of the Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Adha.

 Thompson said the attacker was caught on security cameras: "Immediately after the individual approached, a flash occurred and the individual fled the area." 

Mateen himself was initially reported to have been a patron of the club and to have used gay dating websites, but the FBI has said it has not substantiated these claims. According to the CIA, no links have been found between Mateena and Islamic State.

The US Muslim Moner Mohammad Abu Salha, who drove suicide bomb truck into a restaurant in Ariha, Syria in 2014 killing several members of the Syrian armed forces at the same time, attended the same mosque.

There have been several incidents around the mosque targeting Muslims since the shooting.

Additional reporting by Reuters. 

News
Young people more grateful to God, study finds
Young people more grateful to God, study finds

A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.

Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians
Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians

How can thousands of slain Christians not be persecution?

Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims
Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims

Turkey has been relatively successful in preventing attacks since 2017.

The pope that is remembered each year on December 31
The pope that is remembered each year on December 31

In many European countries, December 31, also known as New Year’s Eve, is better known as St Sylvester’s Day or simply Sylvester, named after a pope from the time of the Council of Nicaea. This is the story …