Arson suspected after large fire at US Islamic centre

A large fire destroyed a building belonging to an Islamic centre in the Texas city of Houston early Friday and US police suspect arson, members of the institute said.

"The blaze was so hot that the complete building and all its many contents were destroyed," the Quba Islamic Institute said on its Facebook page, adding that other buildings as part of the organization were undamaged.

"Investigators have made clear that the fire was not accidental."

Houston fire officials were not immediately available for comment.

Images from the local ABC television station showed a large blaze and column of smoke at the building that was primarily used as "storage for books, renovation supplies, and furniture."

It comes just days after three Muslim students were shot dead execution-style in a North Carolina university town in what the victims' families say was a hate crime.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday praised the three Muslim students and said he was "deeply moved" by scenes of thousands of people mourning their deaths.

Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; his new wife Yusor Mohammad, 21; and her 19-year-old sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha were killed on Tuesday, allegedly at the hands of a neighbour who railed against religion.

"At a time of troubling tensions stoked by those who seek to twist the teachings of faith and sow division, these three young people represented the best values of global citizenship and active community compassion to build a better world for all," Ban said in a statement read by his spokesman.

Fund set up by Barakat raises money for Syrian refugees

A charity fund set up by one of the students has been flooded with donations in the days since the brutal attack.

University of North Carolina dentistry student Barakat had been hoping to raise $20,000 so he and other dentists could provide dental care at a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey.

In the days since the attack in the town of Chapel Hill., donations dwarfed Barakat's original goal, with nearly $330,000 raised by Friday afternoon.

"Have you ever felt helpless about the situation in Syria and felt like you can't do anything about it? This is your opportunity to help," Barakat says in a video presentation on the YouCaring.com site.

A description adds that the dental situation in Syria and at refugee camps is desperate.

"Hundreds of students are currently in need of urgent dental care, mainly consisting of fillings and extractions," the site says. 

"Following each procedure, we will provide oral hygiene instructions and fluoride treatment to prevent future tooth decay."

Barakat's neighbour, Craig Stephen Hicks, has been charged with three counts of murder over the killings, which sparked outrage amongst Muslims worldwide.

Police have said they believed a parking dispute was the catalyst for the attack, but added they had not ruled out the possibility that hatred of Muslims had motivated Hicks.

The victims' families, however, insist the killings be prosecuted as a hate crime.

Hundreds of people left comments on Barakat's fundraising page.

"My heart weeps as I read about the loss of these three wonderful young people," wrote commenter Ann Sullivan.