A possible arson is being investigated at a mosque under construction in Kansas City.
Islamic Center of Northland leaders say they arrived at the site, near Barry road in Kansas City north, for a meeting early Saturday morning and discovered blackened interior walls. There was no serious damage reported.
Kansas City police and a bomb squad responded. Police confirm that two burned bottles were found inside the building.
Laeeq Azmat, ICN's board secretary, says they've had a good relationship with the Northland community. For the last 13 years they've held services at nearby Hillside Christian church.
Azmat says ICN has so far invested nearly $1.7 million in its new facility. But he says the site, which has been under construction for three years, doesn't bear obvious resemblance to a mosque.
Still, the incident is discouraging for the Muslim community, especially considering the current political atmosphere in the United States.
"We live already in fear, all the time. Whenever I leave for work, I always tell my wife to be careful, going to the gas station going to the grocery store, but this will definitely add to our fear," Azmat says.
Lisa Rodriguez is a reporter for KCUR 89.3. Connect with her on Twitter @larodrig.
