Muslim group says Cambridge mosque was vandalized in ‘act of hate’

A group that bills itself Canada’s largest national Muslim community says it has heightened security at its mosques and prayer centres across Canada after a mosque in Cambridge Ont., was vandalized on Wednesday.

In a release, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada says it “was deeply distraught to learn that the Baitul Kareem Mosque in Cambridge was severely vandalized in an act of hate, with damages exceeding tens of thousands of dollars including stolen property.”

Waterloo police say they were called to the mosque at around 5:30 p.m. and several units, including the Hate Crime Unit, are now investigating.

“We are deeply disturbed by this senseless criminal act and the significant destruction towards the Baitul Kareem Mosque in Cambridge,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Waterloo police.

“Places of worship are sacred, and this criminal act cannot and will not be tolerated in Waterloo Region. Rest assured, we are actively investigating, and committing appropriate resources to this investigation. My thoughts are with our Muslim community as they cope with this destructive and hateful crime.”

Police say they are also working with the Muslim community “to offer support and discuss safety measures.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada says Islamic literature was also targeted, and dozens of boxes filled with books and flyers were destroyed.

“We are deeply troubled to learn of this attack on the Baitul Kareem Mosque,” said National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada, Mr. Lal Khan Malik.

“Our mosques have always served as symbols of peace in the community, and it is hurtful for us to see our mosque attacked and vandalized in this fashion.”

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada is deeply troubled to discover that the Baitul Kareem Mosque Cambridge, ON has been severely damaged in an apparent act of hate, with damages exceeding tens of thousands of dollars. The perpetrators targeted Islamic literature and destroyed books. pic.twitter.com/ene8c9TkiJ

— AhmadiyyaCanada (@ahmadiyyacanada) July 15, 2021

The vandalism is the latest in a string of recent incidents targeting Muslim people and the Muslim faith.

On Monday, Hamilton police say a man accosted and threatened two Muslim women in Ancaster, forcing them to run and hide. During that incident, police say Vince Licata, 40, uttered threats while using slurs targeting the Muslim community.

In June, four Muslim family members were struck and killed in a hit-and-run in London that police allege was a pre-meditated, intentional hate crime.

Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old wife, Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter, Yumna, and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal, were killed while out for an evening walk on June 6. The couple’s nine-year-old son, Fayez, was seriously injured but is expected to recover.

Nathaniel Veltman, 20, faces four first-degree murder charges and an attempted murder charge that prosecutors allege constitute an act of terrorism.

Also in June, Toronto police said two suspects were arrested after attempting to break into the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT). In that incident, police allege a man and woman made threats to staff while attempting to enter the building. Both were charged with break and enter and threatening death.

With files from The Canadian Press