A man said he wanted to “kill terrorists” in an attack on Muslim worshipers during a prayer last month, the imam of a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., Said on Thursday.
Witnesses said about 20 men shot the man while he was spraying a bear spray at the Dar al-Tawhid Islamic Center on March 19th. They held him until the arrival of the Peel Regional Police.
No one was seriously injured in the attack.
Imam Ibrahim Hindi said the man also had anti-Muslim posts on social media, but did not provide details.
“He seems to have been full of hatred for members of the Muslim community,” Hindi said. “When he attacked members of the community, he told members of the congregation while they were dealing with him that he was there to kill terrorists.
The man “clearly identifies as a former Muslim,” Hindi said.
He said worshipers were traumatized by the incident.
“Many of them have sought therapy and mental health help from experts,” Hindi said. “Some of them were 13 years old and had nightmares.
Hindi has called on the provincial government to pass the Our London Family Act, a bill created by the Ontario NDP and the National Council of Canadian Muslims after a Muslim family in London, Ontario, was hit and killed by a truck in what police say. that an attack motivated by hatred.
The bill was introduced in the legislature earlier this year and passed first reading, but has since remained on the standing committee.
This will create safe areas around religious institutions, provide more education and tools for schools to combat racism, ban Queen’s Park protests that incite racist, homophobic and other forms of hatred, and prevent white-dominated groups from are registered as societies.
“We don’t understand why this law hasn’t been passed,” Hindi said. “That’s for sure.”
House spokesman Paul Calandra told parliament on Thursday that the bill would not be passed until next month’s provincial elections.
“We are convinced that the bill needs more work to strengthen it,” he said during the question period.
“It’s very important. What we saw happen in London, I think we all agree, was a tragedy and there is a lot of work to be done as legislators to ensure that we respect that, that we respect that and that we work to combat more than just Islamophobia, but also with all forms of racism. “
Hindi also said the federal government needs to update its security infrastructure program.
“Right now, I will have to wait months to make any improvements to the security of the building,” he said. “And I couldn’t hire a security guard, which is a real problem given the fact that we have a lot of children who visit this place often.”
Canada’s public safety did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
The pain continues in the mosque, said Angie Hindi, who works there.
“I find myself looking over my shoulder, scanning exits and thinking of ways to protect my brothers and children during prayers,” she said.
“If it weren’t for the courage of a few worshipers that day, I’m not sure what would have happened.
Mohammad Moiz Omar, 24, faces several charges, including assault with a weapon, use of a harmful substance with the intention of endangering life and making threats.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on April 14, 2022.
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