Man bags 16yrs in prison for setting fire to US Islamic centre

A judge in the U.S. state of Missouri has sentenced an arsonist to a maximum recommended sentence of 191 months in prison for setting a local mosque on fire. There were about one dozen people inside when Nicholas John Proffitt broke a window, threw two containers inside and poured the liquid out of those containers […]

A judge in the U.S. state of Missouri has sentenced an arsonist to a maximum recommended sentence of 191 months in prison for setting a local mosque on fire.

There were about one dozen people inside when Nicholas John Proffitt broke a window, threw two containers inside and poured the liquid out of those containers before lighting the blaze, according to court records.

Profitt apologised for his action and said he had been confused for a long time.

“I just want to say I will continue to take my medication so that something like this will never happen again,” Proffitt said, according to the Southeast Missourian.

The court also ordered Proffitt to pay a fine of $544,000 to the Islamic Centre of Cape Girardeau.

He pleaded guilty in December for the 2020 fire.

His attorney said her client suffered from delusion and schizophrenia.

“I think a 16-year sentence shows this is something that the government takes very, very seriously, and we will hold accountable anyone who attacks one of our pillars of the country,” said Jay Greenberg, special agent in charge for the FBI St. Louis Division.

The Muslim community is in the process of rebuilding its mosque on a new property.

Mosque leaders called for forgiveness.

“We ask that Allah forgive him and for others also to be aware that they cannot just come and attack people for whatever their religion is or their group. Peace is much better,” said Hafez Amer.

He said the new Islamic centre will be completed by the end of the year. (AsAm News)