Auckland mosque fire: Photos from inside gutted building show scale of damage, teen charged with arson

Photos from inside a gutted Auckland mosque reveal the extent of damage after a fire ripped through the building on Tuesday in an alleged arson.

The images were shared with the Herald on Wednesday by the Imam Reza Islamic Mosque in New Lynn.

They show the inside of the grey and blackened mosque, after the fire severely damaged its interior. Dozens of melted and burned chairs lie in orderly rows and ceiling panels hang from their frames. Singed carpets line the floor, with ash-strewn throughout.

Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said a 19-year-old was due to appear in the Waitākere District Court this morning charged with burglary and two counts of arson.

The Auckland Muslim community has been shaken by the attack, and the mosque faces a significant rebuilding effort and extensive repairs.

In a Facebook post, the mosque said an undamaged copy of the Qur’an was found amid the ruins.

The mosque was extensively damaged during the blaze.

“The flames have caused immense damage, leaving behind ruins and heartbreak. Yet, in the midst of it all, one remarkable sight stands as a symbol of hope, the holy Qur’an remains untouched, a powerful reminder of resilience and faith.”

Following the blaze, the mosque’s leaders have launched a Givealittle fundraising page to assist with restoration costs.

“Many of our brothers and sisters have reached out, asking how they can help support the restoration of our mosque. To make it easier for everyone to contribute, we have set up a Givealittle page where you can donate towards this important cause. Every contribution, big or small, will make a meaningful difference,” they wrote.

A Givealittle has been set up to raise funds for the extensive repairs needed following the blaze at Imam Reza Mosque. Photo / Supplied

The funds raised will be directed towards repairing structural damage, replacing essential resources and enhancing security.

The campaign invites people to support the mosque’s recovery, with updates on progress and fundraising efforts provided through the page.

Imam Reza mosque in New Lynn, Auckland, was targeted in an alleged arson attack. Photo / Supplied

Offender allegedly broke in under cover of darkness: What we know

McNeill said yesterday that police officers would be posted around the city’s other mosques in the coming days to reassure the community.

Imam Reza Mosque on Astley Ave was broken into just before 1am yesterday. A glass door at the building’s rear had been smashed. Police believe the fire was deliberately lit.

Imam Reza mosque in New Lynn, Auckland, was targeted in an alleged arson attack. Photo / Mike Scott

The fire smouldered for another eight hours until it could be seen from the street and emergency services were alerted, McNeill said.

Police and fire investigators quickly established the fire was deliberately lit.

Police have security footage of a man allegedly breaking in and setting the mosque alight.

There would be “an increased police presence around mosques” in Auckland “to ensure the community feel safe”, he said.

McNeill has asked witnesses or anyone with information to contact police and reference file number 241105/3764.

‘Tried to harm us’: Mosque chairman defiant

A man connected to the Astley Ave religious centre told the Herald, police were focusing on a smashed back window.

A smashed glass door is visible as police investigate a fire at New Lynn's Imam Reza Mosque. Photo / Raphael Franks

“It’s crazy,” he said.

“Doing things like this just creates more hatred, more fear.”

The fire was so intense plastic chairs had melted, he said.

Nobody was inside the building.

“I’m just glad no one was hurt, that it wasn’t during prayer time,” he said.

Mosque chairman Feridoun Salehi said in a message to his community: “There are those who tried to harm us, to shake the very foundations of our sacred space.

“Let us remember that the walls of a masjid are strong, but they are not our true foundation. Our true foundation is our faith, our love, our patience, and our unity. These are the stones that no fire can burn, no attack can weaken, and no words can shake.”

The fire smouldered for eight hours after being lit until it was seen from the street and emergency services got a call. Photo / Mike Scott

Dr Muhammad Sajjad, president of the Islamic Council of New Zealand, said the Islamic community was scared and he wanted to reassure the community police were investigating the fire.

Sajjad said there had been an increased number of concerning incidents related to religion and race-based crime that community members had reported to authorities in the past couple of months.

“The people are a bit concerned about the increasing numbers of such incidents.”

Taaj Mohamed, president of the nearby New Lynn Islamic Centre, said his organisation was dismayed at the attack.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

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