Arsonists Set Fires to Three Russian Churches; Burn One to Ground in Primarily Muslim Province

Three churches in a predominantly Muslim province in Russia were set on fire by arsonists between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on November 1, 2010, according to the Christian Post website.

One of the buildings -- an Orthodox Church in the village of Ordzhonikidzevsky -- was totally destroyed. The other two -- an Orthodox and a Baptist Church in the nearby city of Karachaevsk -- sustained minimal damage, after the night guard of one put out the fire, and the night guard of the other called fire fighters.

All three fires were set when flammable objects were thrown through the churches' windows.

In the Karachayevo-Cherkessia province, violence has been scarce, although Muslim extremists consider this area to be Muslim territory occupied by Russia.