Update: Arson Ruled as Cause of Fire That Destroyed Victoria Mosque

UPDATED Feb. 8: A fire that destroyed the Victoria Islamic Center on Jan. 28 has been deemed an arson, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms said in a statement on Wednesday. The agency stopped short of calling it a hate crime, however.

“At this time, the evidence does not indicate the fire was a biased crime,” the news release stated.

The mosque, Crime Stoppers, and ATF are offering a $30,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case. Anyone with relevant information can contact Crime Stoppers at 361-572-4200 or the ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3474).

HOUSTON, TX — The Victoria Islamic Center was gutted by fire over the weekend, and when news of the damage spread the donations began pouring in. The tally as of Monday afternoon? More than $900,000.

According to the New York Times, the mosque, which was nearly gutted, serves the 40 or so Muslim families in Victoria, which is about 100 miles southwest from Houston.

“Jewish community members walked into my home and gave me a key to the synagogue,” Dr. Shahid Hashmi told the Times. “Churches came and prayed with us, and people brought cash and checks.” Hashmi, who is a surgeon, was a co-founder of the mosque, which was built in 2000.

The donations consisted of cash and checks given by community members and proceeds from an online fund drive, which had raised more than $891,000 by Monday afternoon.

Abe Ajrami, a member of the mosque, spoke at a news conference this weekend and said that people from around the country and world were donating to the rebuilding fund, which was established on gofundme.com. Ajrami, according to The Victoria Advocate, said the mosque was “a place where our kids grew up.”

“I don't care what they say out there in national media," he added. "This is a beautiful city and we have wonderful neighbors,”

The financial assistance will go toward the construction of a 4,000-square-foot prayer and community center.

Those wishing to donate to the Victoria Islamic Center rebuilding fund can get further information by clicking here.

— Image courtesy Victoria Islamic Center