ANNECY , France , March 6 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - Hundreds of French Muslims held Saturday, March 6, a silent demonstration protesting two arson attacks on mosques in southeastern France, amid vehement condemnations from different powers.

Muslim leaders criticized the political establishment for failing to join their protest, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"No leading political figure came," said Kamel Kabtane, the head of the regional Muslim council in Rhone-Alps district.

"We are in a pre-electoral period and many politicians did not dare come, fearing perhaps a backlash from voters," he added.

Kotbane said Muslims were being targeted through attacks on their mosques and centers, which call for peace and tolerance.

The first fire in the city of Seynod engulfed an entire 80-square meter prayer hall, the pulpit and the library on the small hours of Friday, March 5.

The second seriously damaged the heating system of a mosque in the city of Annecy the same day before fire fighters got the situation under control.

Security sources said the arson attacks were likely plotted by right-wing extremists, who harbor hatred towards the Muslim community in France.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility.

The French Council for the Muslim Religion (CFCM) branded the attacks as "unspeakable racist and anti-Islamic."

Dalil Boubakeur, the CFCM head, called on police to do everything possible to identify the culprits of such heinous crimes.

He warned that such acts "can only worsen the sensitive religious climate in our country."

Shiekh Abdullah Bin Taleb, of the Seynod mosque, surged French authorities to provide protection to mosques just like they do with Jewish synagogues, reported Le Monde.

The arson attacks came under fire from President Jacques Chirac and different parties.

In a statement, Chirac condemned the torching of the two mosques, assuring the Muslim community of his sympathy and support.

"Without prejudging the inquiry that is in progress, he strongly condemns these hateful acts," a statement said.

Chirac, it continued, "expresses his sympathy and support to all the Muslims of France and assures them of the government's determination to find and punish those who carried out these attacks."

The mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, also denounced the arson attacks.

In a letter to Boubakeur, he reiterated support to all Muslims of France, and condemned the "blind hatred" that lay behind such acts.

The Jewish Organizations Council in France and the Liberal Jewish Movement had earlier sent cables to Boubakeur, strongly condemning such "racist acts which stoke violence and hatred."

The two bodies also reiterated support for Muslims against "our common enemy".

French Justice Minister Dominique Perben said Friday, March 5, such aggressions fall under a 2003 law, which doubles the penalties for race-motivated arson attacks.