Mosque Rebuilt as Suspect Faces Trial

A Muslim man charged with first-degree arson in the mid-2010 fire at a Marietta mosque could go on trial this month.

Tamsir Mendy, 26, originally from Gambia and most recently a Powder Springs resident, is on the calendar call today, Assistant District Attorney Marty First said. But any number of issues could delay the case.

Mendy is accused of setting fire to the Masjid Al-Hedaya (Islamic Center of Marietta) sometime after evening prayers July 5, 2010. 

Members had ended their service at the mosque about 10:25 p.m. After locking the doors, a member noticed Mendy sitting a short way off, the mosque’s leader told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the time.

When city firefighters arrived at 968 Powder Springs St. around 11:30 p.m., flames were coming from the front and back of the converted house. Damage was estimated at $100,000, said Scott Tucker, assistant fire chief with the .

A construction worker in a bulldozer was on site Tuesday working on the new mosque.

Accelerants were used in the fire, and Mendy confessed to the crime, fire officials said. During a probable-cause hearing last year, Tucker summarized Mendy's confession.

The burned mosque had split off from another congregation. Both groups were worshipping on adjacent properties, but there had been friction, said Tucker, who has been subpoenaed to be in court Monday.

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

In a letter to the court dated Jan. 1, 2011, Mendy wrote, “You have the wrong person,” according to Jollofnews.com.

He added: “Why you people keep playing games, I do not understand and do not understand none of what is being brought to me.”

Georgia law allows a sentence of one to 20 years for first-degree arson. Mendy has already spent more than 430 days behind bars.

Mendy's attorney did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

Mendy, who has been in custody since his arrest two days after the fire, had worshipped at Masjid Al-Hedaya for a short time before the fire. The head of the mosque, Imam Hafiz Inayatullah, said at the time that they had spoken only once.

Inayatullah was not available for comment this week.

Mosque members have been using a nearby strip mall for worship services.

Officials believe that Mendy is in this country illegally and have placed an ICE detainer on him, meaning he will be handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation when his case is over.