On Saturday night, October 4, 2025, the quiet town of Peacehaven in East Sussex was shaken by an attack that has left its local Muslim community reeling and prompted a nationwide conversation about hate crimes and religious tolerance. Shortly before 10 p.m., two masked individuals approached the Peacehaven Community Mosque on Phyllis Avenue, doused its entrance and the steps with an accelerant, and set it alight. The flames quickly engulfed both the front of the mosque and a Toyota Prius parked outside, which exploded in a fireball, sending shockwaves through the surrounding neighborhood.
Inside the mosque at the time were two men: the Imam, an elderly man in his sixties, and a guest. According to multiple eyewitness accounts reported by Metro and The Sun, the pair had been having tea after evening prayers when the attack began. "The chairman, who is an elderly man in his 60s, ran out just before the car was blown to pieces," a mosque volunteer told The Sun. Miraculously, both men managed to escape without injury, though footage shared on social media showed just how close the disaster came to claiming lives.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service arriving on the scene within minutes to contain the blaze. The front entrance of the mosque was severely damaged, and the car was completely destroyed, but thanks to the rapid response, the fire did not spread further or result in casualties. Superintendent Rachel Swinney of Sussex Police acknowledged the impact on the community, stating, "We acknowledge the serious distress and concern this has caused in our communities. There is an increased police presence at the scene and additional patrols taking place at places of worship across Sussex to provide visibility and reassurance. We will continue to engage with our religious communities to support them and ensure their concerns are heard and acted upon."
As the investigation unfolded, Sussex Police released CCTV images showing two suspects in dark clothing and balaclavas, one of whom sported distinctive red gloves. By Monday afternoon, October 6, police had arrested a 46-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team emphasized the urgency of the inquiry: "The investigation is progressing at pace, and we are pursuing all lines of inquiry to identify those responsible for this appalling and reckless attack. We are continuing to appeal for information from the public in relation to the incident. If you have any knowledge, no matter how small you think it might be, we urge you to contact us immediately by calling 999, quoting Operation Spey."
The mosque announced via Instagram that it would be closed until further notice while police investigations continued. "This hateful act does not represent our community or our town. Peacehaven has always been a place of kindness, respect, and mutual support, and we will continue to embody those values," the statement read. The mosque also called for unity and compassion in response to hate, thanking neighbors and local faith leaders for their solidarity.
The attack has been widely condemned by politicians, faith leaders, and community organizations across the country. Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, labeled the attack "disgusting," stating, "This violence and hatred has no place in our peaceful, tolerant local community. We will root it out and we stand in solidarity with all affected." Attorney General Richard Hermer echoed this sentiment, calling the attack "disgraceful" and affirming, "My solidarity and thoughts are with the Muslim community in Peacehaven today. This is a disgraceful attack against a place of worship – those who commit hate crimes will be brought to justice."
Faith leaders from other communities also voiced their support. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, remarked, "Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this. Over recent weeks, there has been a lot of focus on how we have become a divided Kingdom. But we are the United Kingdom. And we need to move forward against hate together." A spokesman for Brighton and Hove Stand Up to Racism added, "We send our solidarity to those at Peacehaven mosque and within the wider Muslim community for whom this must be an incredibly distressing time. We stand together with the Muslim community against Islamophobia, just as we stand with the Jewish community against antisemitism."
The incident comes amid a troubling rise in attacks on places of worship across the UK. According to Tell Mama, a charity supporting victims of Islamophobic abuse, there have been 22 attacks on mosques in the past four months alone. Iman Atta, the organization’s director, described the figures as “appalling,” adding, "After the recent extremist attack against the Manchester synagogue, it is high time that something is done to tackle extremism and hate. There is a national silence on anti-Muslim hate, and with government-funded organisations looking the other way on this very issue, it is time that the politics of hate is turned down."
Residents of Peacehaven have responded with shock and sadness. Khuram Kiani, a founding member of the mosque, told BBC News, "I've lived here for over 30 years [and] I've never seen such an incident. It's shocking for the whole community." Business owner Osman Shala, who rushed to support the mosque after hearing of the fire, said, "The main thing is that no-one died. It could be much worse." Local resident Brian Phoenix described the attack as "disgraceful," adding, "Peacehaven is supposed to be a safe place. It shouldn't have happened."
The wider context has not been lost on those following the news. Just two days before the Peacehaven attack, two Jewish people were killed outside a Manchester synagogue in another act of extremist violence. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood addressed the nation, saying, "Attacks against Britain’s Muslims are attacks against all Britons and this country itself." Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson reinforced this message, stating, "An attack on Muslims is an attack on all Britons."
The mosque community has already begun efforts to rebuild, launching a fundraiser to repair the damaged building and replace what was lost. "We've built community here – youth activities, classes, community events – all run by volunteers who care about this town," said a spokesperson for the mosque. "We've never had issues with anyone and we won't start now. This was a test and we'll rise from it. Your donation helps us repair the building, replace what's lost and protect the mosque so this never happens again."
As police continue their investigation and the community rallies to heal, the events in Peacehaven have become a stark reminder of the challenges facing religious minorities in the UK. Yet, the overwhelming response from neighbors, leaders, and faith communities has been one of unity, resilience, and a shared commitment to overcoming hate with compassion and support.
