Fire destroys Prior Lake mosque, K–12 school
An overnight fire around 2 a.m. Monday destroyed the Masjid Hamza Al‑Mahmood Foundation and Baitul Hikmah Academy in Prior Lake, with firefighters arriving to flames through the roof and a partial roof collapse. No one was inside; about 200 K–12 students move to e‑learning as the cause remains under investigation and the school seeks temporary space at other campuses or a rented site.
📌 Key Facts
- Reported by a passerby on Hwy 13; flames showing through the roof on arrival
- Prior Lake Fire Department says part of the roof collapsed; vaulted ceilings complicated suppression
- Facility manager says the building is a total loss; ~200 students moving to distance learning while relocation options are explored
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Minnesota recorded 45 hate crime incidents motivated by religious bias, out of a total of 209 hate crime incidents.
Minnesota - Hate Crimes — U.S. Department of Justice
On September 30, 2025, a fire at the Al Hikma Mosque in Minneapolis was deemed accidental by officials, but community leaders urged further investigation into possible religious bias.
Fire at Minneapolis' Al Hikma Mosque deemed accidental — CBS News
In May 2023, a man was charged with setting fire to the Masjid Omar Islamic Center in Minnesota as a hate crime.
Minnesota - Hate Crimes — U.S. Department of Justice
As of 2023, the racial composition of Prior Lake, Minnesota, is approximately 81.5% White, 5.5% Asian, 5.0% Hispanic, and 1.9% Black.
Prior Lake Demographics | Current Minnesota Census Data — Minnesota Demographics