The Georgia Arson Control Program has awarded $3,500 to a tipster who provided information that assisted in the arrest and conviction of the person who set fire to a Marietta mosque in 2010.

Marietta Fire officials investigating the July 5, 2010, fire at 968 Powder Springs St., obtained information from this witness, helping them locate and interview a mosque member, who confessed to the arson.

Tamsir Mendy, 27, originally from Gambia and most recently a Powder Springs resident, set fire to the Masjid Al-Hedaya (Islamic Center of Marietta). In January, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years, 10 of it in prison.

The burned mosque had split off from another congregation. Both groups were worshipping on adjacent properties, but there had been friction, Assistant Fire Chief Scott Tucker said.

Mendy reportedly told police he wanted the groups to worship together again.

If you have information that may assist in the arrest and conviction of a person(s) responsible for planning or committing arson, you may be eligible for a reward up to $10,000.

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