Islamophobic vandalism: hate-motivated graffiti spraypainted outside mosque in Canada
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In yet another incident of anti-Muslim hate crime, graffiti with "hateful messages" was spraypainted outside a mosque in Ontario, Canada, inviting sharp reactions from the Muslims.
The words "Allah is a lie" and "Death to dictator" could be seen outside the Towfiq Islamic Centre on Friday.
The Toronto police are currently looking into the suspected hate-motivated incident. According to the police, they received a call about a reported hate crime at an Islamic Centre in the area of Oak Street and Weston Road at around 5:30 a.m. Thursday.
In a news release on Friday, police said two suspects spray painted graffiti that contained "hateful messages" on the property at approximately 12:26 a.m. earlier that day.
The suspects were last seen wearing dark clothing and fleeing the area on foot heading east on Oak Street.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims called the incident "disgusting and disturbing," saying it was an example of "Islamophobic vandalism."
"This is gravely concerning," it said in a tweet.
After consulting with the hate crimes unit, the investigation is now being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence, police said.
In a tweet Friday, Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said police are committed to investigating "every potential hate crime" in the city and urged residents to report suspected hateful acts.