Canadian Trade Minister condemns hate crime on Muslim mosque
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Mary Ng, Canada's trade minister, condemned the actions of an individual who tore apart a copy of the Holy Quran in Markham, Canda and yelled racial and Islamophobic slurs at worshipers.
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Canadian Minister of Trade Mary Ng speaks at a Lunar New Year celebration in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 31 January 2023. (Reuters)
Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has condemned a hate crime against Muslims at a mosque in Markham, Ontario through a social media post on Twitter.
The Minster said she is “Deeply disturbed to hear of the violent hate crimes and racist behavior at the Islamic Society of Markham. To Muslims in Markham and Canada, I stand with you.”
She further explained in the thread, “During Ramadan, mosques are places of community and peace - and everyone should feel safe in their place of worship. This violence and Islamophobia has no place in our communities or in Canada.”
We have been greatly distressed to learn about an apparent violent hate crime at a Markham mosque, where an individual yelled slurs, tore up a Quran, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.
— NCCM (@nccm) April 8, 2023
There will be a press conference on Monday with more details to come. pic.twitter.com/zWv1hUGz4N
The Islamic Society of Markham (ISM) issued a statement on Thursday detailing the event.
According to ISM an individual entered the Mosque and tore up a copy of the Holy Quran, yelling racial and Islamophobic slurs. The man then attempted to run over worshipers with his vehicle while leaving the site.
The Mosque is one of the largest and oldest centers for Muslims in Markham, and worshippers are attending the mosque in large numbers because of the holy month of Ramadan.
ISM fears the possibility of physical harm being inflicted upon worshipers, as the anniversary of the London Terror Attack approaches.
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Islamophobia in Europe is at a 'tipping point'.
The York Regional Police have reportedly arrested and charged the perpetrator, ensuring the safety of the Muslim congregation in the area
The National Council of Canadian Muslims also expressed their distress around the incident, adding that they will announce further details on Monday.
Read more: Yemen bans products from European countries that desecrated Holy Quran.
