A man allegedly attacked by worshipers at a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., Earlier this year is now facing terrorism charges, Peel Police said Wednesday.
Police say Mohammad Moiz Omar entered the Dar Al-Tawhid Islamic Center on March 19 and allegedly attacked those inside with bear spray while brandishing an ax.
The 24-year-old man has been detained and charged with several criminal offenses.
Police said on Wednesday that the crimes Omar was accused of were terrorist activities under the Penal Code.
He faces charges that include two charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon with a purpose dangerous to society, misuse of religious property and threatening to cause death or bodily harm – all of which are now part of terrorism proceedings. against him.
Police said the Canadian Public Prosecutor’s Office and Canada’s Attorney General agreed on Wednesday to launch terrorism proceedings in the case.
“This incident has deeply affected the members of the Dar Al-Tawhid Islamic Center and is having an exciting impact on our entire community. People should expect to be able to gather peacefully and safely without fear,” Peel Police Chief Nishan Durayapa said in a statement.
“Our service is committed to continuing to work with our partners and the community to ensure that hatred and violence have no place in our community.”
READ MORE: Pilgrims subdue a man allegedly attacked in a mosque in Mississauga, Ont.
The mosque and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, a national advocacy group, welcomed in a joint statement accusing Omar of terrorism charges and condemned the attack.
Dar Al-Tawhid Islamic Center in Mississauga to be seen on Saturday, March 19, 2022 (CP24 / Kenneth Enlow)
“It just shows how existential Islamophobia continues to be an existential threat to members of our community,” said mosque imam Ibrahim Hindi.
“I hope today will be the first step towards justice when it comes to this shocking and violent incident, which could have been much worse had it not been for the courage of our community members.”
The mosque and the NCCM say those present at the morning prayer when the attack took place were traumatized and many sought mental health services.
“This is not the first time our places of worship have been violated in one way or another,” said NCCM lawyer Nusaiba Al-Azem.
“Our community needs to be healed, but that starts with justice when it comes to the man who could have killed so many more lives this morning.
Police said earlier that they believed the incident was motivated by hatred.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on June 8, 2022.
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