The Rida mosque in Anderlecht is attended by adherents of the minority Shiite branch of Islam, blamed by the suspect – who has not been named – for the current situation in Syria.

Last Sunday, more than 2,000 Muslims from a number of Arab countries joined in a march of remembrance for the imam, 46-year-old Abdullah Dahdouh, from the Rida mosque to the Justice Palace in Brussels. Kamal M’Rabet, a spokesman for the mosque, said the march was a joint initiative between Sunni and Shiites. Shiites account for about 5% of the Muslims in Belgium.

The suspect, said to be a man of Moroccan origin in his 30s, was originally charged with arson, with religious motives. After the case was taken on by the federal prosecutor’s off, he was also ordered to be detained on charges of terrorism.

The attack took place on a Monday evening, when the Rida mosque was crowded. The congregation was able to escape, but imam Dahdouh was overcome by smoke as he tackled the fire. The suspect, who was also carrying a knife and an axe, was apprehended by members of the congregation and held until police arrived.