Authorities are investigating a small fire that broke out early Friday outside a door at a New Tampa mosque. 

  • Small fire at Islamic Society of New Tampa mosque
  • No injuries, minimal damage
  •  Council on American Islamic Relations calls it a case of arson

Hillborough County Fire investigators have ruled the fire as arson. 

Officials said there was a charred doorway but no injuries from the small fire outside the Islamic Society of New Tampa mosque at 15830 Morris Bridge Road in Thonotosassa. 

The fire was reported just after 5 a.m. after an alarm went off at the building.

Investigators aren’t sure how the fire started in front of the new mosque, or who is behind it. But leaders here fear it's a hate crime.

"I may be the mayor, but there are tens of thousands of Tampanians who do not happen to be Muslim but today stand with the Muslim community and say, 'Not on my watch, not in my city, we do not tolerate this,'" said Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

Buckhorn compared the arson to the recent wave of anti-semetic attacks on Jewish community centers across the country. It's something Muslims here have been wary of.

In fact, they had already reinforced the glass on the mosque. That's probably a big reason why the glass didn't break, allowing the flames inside.

Even though it has rattled members, their spirits are high. They say it's because of the outpouring of support from Tampa Bay.

On Friday night leaders of different faiths spoke outside the mosque, including a Jewish Rabbi and a Christian minister. The Rabbi said setting fire to the mosque is like setting fire to all houses of worship.

"They burned every house of worship," he said. "My synagogue smells of gasoline and smoke tonight. Your church smells of gasoline and smoke. Every place that we gather has been damaged by this."

Imam Junaid Ahmed said the culprit wanted to instill fear, but instead there is unity.

"I am thanking God for giving us this beautiful community who have come to us," Ahmed said. "Who reached out to us in solidarity, in unity and showed the haters that this is the America we know."

There are security cameras around the building, but there was no word Friday on what that footage shows.

The Council on American Islamic Relations weighed in on the fire Friday morning on Twitter, offering a reward for information on the fire, which CAIR officials say was intentionally set.

"Cair Florida is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to conviction of terrorist that firebombed (a) New Tampa mosque." 

Overnight, an emergency prayer service was called by mosque officials after the fire was reported. More than two dozen mosque members showed up for a 20-minute prayer service.

The Council on American Islamic Relations Florida released a statement: "We congratulate Hillsborough County first responders for their prompt response to this tragic situation. It is worrisome that our community has fallen victim of what appears to be another hate crime.

"This time, another Florida mosque has been targeted in a crime that could have easily taken the life of any worshipper. Our prayers are with the New Tampa Mosque community and we are grateful that nobody was physically hurt."