Dutch Muslim sites are attacked

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – A mosque in southeastern Netherlands was destroyed by fire Saturday in what appeared to be the latest suspected attack against an Islamic site since the killing of a Dutch filmmaker critical of Islamic fundamentalism.

Theo van Gogh was shot Nov. 2 while riding his bicycle in Amsterdam, then was stabbed and had his throat cut by a suspected Muslim extremist. A note was pinned to his chest with a knife threatening further attacks on Dutch politicians in the name of militant Islam.

There have been more than 20 fires or incidents of vandalism at Muslim buildings, and a handful of retaliatory attacks on Christian churches since the murder of Van Gogh, who earlier this year released a film critical of Islam’s treatment of women. Van Gogh was a distant relative of the painter Vincent Van Gogh.

As in earlier attacks, there were no injuries when flames engulfed the Helden Islamic Mosque Foundation in the southern province of Limburg early Saturday, police spokesman Peter Raaij said. Police investigators suspect arson.

The mosque’s three prayer rooms, would have been full minutes later for a service marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.