A mosque was destroyed Saturday by a fire which investigators believe to have been caused by arson Saturday morning.

The Islamic Center of Columbia was sprayed-painted with swastikas and then destroyed by flames, Special Agent Eric Kehn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said, according to the Associated Press.

The words sprayed on the wall of the mosque included the words “white power” and “we run the world,” said Daoud Abudiab, president of the center.

The fire is believed to have started at 5 a.m., according to the authorities. The firefighters arrived at the mosque around 5:30 a.m. and found it ablaze and discovered the hate slogans in the side of the building.

“This has been home for us — Middle Tennessee and Columbia — since 1998, and people have been supportive and friendly and welcoming. Obviously, we are concerned, but it hasn't really sunk in yet,” Abudiab told the AP.

The motive of the arson was painted on the wall, according to Jim Cavanaugh, a special agent with the federal Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agency.

On Sunday, the authorities arrested three men on arson charge. They were Eric Baker, 31, Michael Golden, 22, and Jonathan Stone, 18, all from Columbia. They are being held in the Maury County Jail and face possible federal charges for attacking a house of worship and other federal crimes, the authorities said.