AUSTIN, Texas (FinalCall.com)�Three two-gallon gas cans were set ablaze and
thrown onto the roof of the Nation of Islam mosque here in the early morning hours of Sept. 17.

One of the Molotov-cocktail devices rolled off the roof into the back of the building, one rolled to the front of the building and the one that caused the most damage stayed on the roof of the building.

According to Dale Whitaker, spokeswoman for the Austin Fire Department, no one was injured in the 12:30 a.m. incident.

Investigators at the scene concluded the attack was the work of amateurs and the devices were poorly constructed.

Askia Muhammad Toure, who was at work a block away from the building when the incident occurred, saw smoke coming from the mosque and immediately called 911, left his job and ran to the building.

Using a water hose and ladder, Bro. Askia and another witness were able to extinguish the fire by the time fire officials arrived. Austin Study Group leader Min. Cedric Muhammad, who lives a few blocks from the mosque, was contacted.

Responding to the alarm, Min. Cedric told The Final Call that he thought of what the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan would do in such a situation which produced a calming effect over his body.

"If it were not for the tremendous influence of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, his example, his mannerism and his posture and the way he deals with situations as they occur, and if it were not for his perfect guidance and leadership, we (the members of the Austin Study Group) would not have been able to deal with this in such a rational manner," Min. Cedric said.

Franceska Perot, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) in Houston, said federal agents of the ATF and FBI were on the scene to collect evidence. Officials said that if enough evidence is found, the perpetrators could be prosecuted under the new hate crime bill, which is punishable by 20-years- to life in prison.

Investigators are looking for a dark colored car and a white van witnesses saw parked behind the mosque before the incident occurred. Min. Cedric stated that since the attack on the World Trade Center the mosque had received numerous threatening phone calls, but since the attack on the Austin mosque, 98 percent of the calls were now positive and supportive.

He said the mosque has received numerous donations of flowers, baskets, clothing and numerous offers of places to worship, including the Ephahata Church across the street. Although, gas fumes from the attempted arson attack permeate the air as a result of the gasoline absorbed on the back door and roof, the mosque only received minimal damage so we will be able to continue to have meetings in the building, he said.

Austin Assistant Police Chief Michael McDonald had police cars making hourly rounds to the mosque as well.

The incident was "unfortunate but not unexpected, given the gravity of current events," said Southwest Regional Minister Robert Muhammad of Houston. "We will remain vigilant and watchful over the believers and our property. But most importantly, we put our trust totally in Allah (God)," he said.