BARCELONA – A fire in the early morning of July 12, 2025, destroyed a newly built mosque in Piera, about 50 kilometres from Barcelona. The mosque, which was set to open within days, was reduced to rubble. Authorities suspect arson, and the event has fuelled anger, anxiety, and debate throughout Spain.
The Spanish Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (FEERI) said the incident is part of a wider pattern of anti-Muslim sentiment spreading across the country. This event, along with recent clashes in southern Spain, exposes ongoing struggles over immigration, culture, and the role of Islam in Europe.
The fire started at 3:36 a.m. at the mosque on the road to Bedorc in Piera, known for its calm atmosphere and mix of cultures. Local firefighters responded quickly, but the flames gutted the building before they could bring it under control. Police have launched an arson investigation. While no one was injured, the impact on Piera’s Muslim residents has been deep.
Catalonia’s three main Muslim associations—UCIDCAT, FCIC, and FIC—issued a joint statement calling the fire a “cowardly and deliberate attack” designed to divide the community.
They said, “This attack isn’t just against a building, but against the spirit of understanding that Piera stands for.” Churches in the area, including the Diocesan Church and Santa Maria de Piera Parish, expressed support for the Muslim community and condemned the fire as an attack on religious freedom.
The fire isn’t the first attack in Piera. A youth centre for foreign minors in town was targeted with flammable liquid only weeks earlier. Many believe the two incidents are linked. The mayor, Jordi González, stressed that Piera has a history of “peaceful, friendly coexistence,” although the recent attacks suggest growing unease.
Condemnation Over Mosque Burning
FEERI responded quickly, condemning the mosque fire and other recent anti-Muslim incidents across Spain, such as far-right marches in Murcia. The group warned that “these attacks threaten social peace and the rule of law,” and spoke out against hate speech that blames minorities. FEERI urged authorities to investigate thoroughly and called on all communities to work together for justice and inclusion.
FEERI also said it supports democracy and open dialogue, and it rejected hate as a response to hate. “We’ll work with the media, local leaders, and the public to push for a message based on respect,” the group said, stressing the need to stand together against rising Islamophobia. Egypt’s Al-Azhar Observatory also condemned the fire, calling it a “vicious racist act” and asking for worldwide action against hate.
The mosque fire happened during a tense period in Spain, especially in Murcia. In Torre Pacheco, violent protests broke out after a local senior was allegedly attacked by three men from North Africa. Videos posted online showed far-right groups and migrants throwing objects at each other, with some protestors shouting, “Spain is Christian, not Muslim.”
The confrontations led to 14 arrests, five injuries, and a bigger police presence. Government officials, including Youth Minister Sira Rego and Migration Minister Elma Saiz, blamed far-right voices for stirring up trouble, and Saiz stated, “Spain is not a country that hunts immigrants.”
Many Spaniards worry that growing migration, especially from Muslim-majority countries, is changing their culture. Far-right groups in Torre Pacheco have used news of crimes to spread anti-migrant messages, often backed by viral but misleading videos online.
British activist Tommy Robinson shared a video claiming to show the Piera fire, but fact-checkers said it actually came from a 2022 incident in Jakarta, Indonesia. This shows how misinformation worsens tensions.
Some critics say the fast rise of Spain’s Muslim population—now over two million people, or about 4 percent of the country—fuels fears about cultural changes. In areas like Piera, opponents of the new mosque argued it represented a shift away from local identity, but many of these claims are not backed by evidence and overlook the complex reality of these changes.
Rising Anti-Muslim Sentiment
What happened in Spain reflects a larger pattern across Europe and the UK. In Britain, new mosques have sparked debate and local resistance in places like Cumbria, Leicester, Essex, and North Yorkshire.
Concerns about integration and cultural identity have become more common as the country’s Muslim population grows, now making up 6.7 percent of England according to the last census. Far-right groups have used these debates to spread their message, often turning mosque proposals into symbols of wider fears about multiculturalism.
Across Europe, far-right parties have gained ground by framing Muslim migration as a threat to national character. Spain’s Vox party has often been accused of pushing anti-migrant rhetoric.
Politicians like Marine Le Pen in France and Matteo Salvini in Italy have also tried to use these issues to their advantage. Reactions to the Piera fire reached beyond Europe, with some social media users in India going so far as to celebrate the attack online, showing how extremist ideas can spread worldwide.
The response to the Piera fire has been sharply split. While Muslim and Christian groups have called for calm and understanding, far-right activists label the incident as part of a fight to defend Spain’s identity.
Online, false posts about the fire have attracted huge attention, with some suggesting it was a sign that locals are “pushing back.” These views ignore the strong local opposition to the attack and the ongoing calls for unity.
The Spanish government has started to address the unrest. Police in Mataró, near Barcelona, arrested a leader from the supremacist group “Deport Them Now Europe” on hate crime charges, seizing two computers as evidence. Community leaders in Torre Pacheco urged their members to stay calm and called for more dialogue to reduce tensions.
The attack on the Piera mosque is much more than a single act of vandalism. It reveals deep social divides. As Spain faces challenges around migration and growing diversity, the fire makes it clear that open discussion and respect are needed.
FEERI’s plea for unity, paired with support from local Christian leaders and community groups, points to a possible way forward. But to move ahead, the country must face the stories of fear and blame that are driving people apart.
Investigations into the attack are still underway. Residents in Piera and across Spain now face a key choice. Will they rebuild their community and heal old wounds, or let hatred further damage their social bonds? Right now, the remains of the mosque in Piera are a striking symbol of the work still to come.
Sources: Reuters, BBC News
