Canadian police investigating hate graffiti at mosque

Synagogue, Christian church also targeted in capital of Ottawa

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Ont. (AA) – Police in the capital of Ottawa are investigating after a mosque was spray-painted with hate words, Canadian media reported Friday.

It is the fifth incident of racist graffiti in the past week.

Police were called Friday after the words “[expletive] Allah” and a swastika were painted on the association doors, and the numbers 666 which signifies the devil. As well, a Christian church with a black reverend was spray-painted with “niggers” and the numbers 14 and 88. The number 14 is associated with white supremacists and 88 is code for “Heil Hitler”, reported the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada’s national newscaster.

A Jewish community was targeted three times this week and a synagogue and the home of a rabbi.

A spokesman for the Ottawa Muslim Association was quick to condemn the actions.

“It’s hate, it’s just hate,” Ahmed Ibrahim told the CBC. “Ottawa is a beautiful city, it’s full of love for everyone, it is welcome to everyone. This graffiti is telling me, ‘go home.’

“This is my home … Canada and Ottawa is my home. It is the Jewish groups’ home, it is the Christians’ home, it is our home.”

The hate crimes unit of the Ottawa police is investigating the possibility that the crimes are linked, since there are similarities in the incidents.

“It’s been a rash – five in a week,” Ottawa police spokesman Constable Marc Soucy told Global News television network. “So, it is a great concern. Now we need to let the investigation take its course.”

The Muslim association condemned the attacks on the Jewish community.

“The Ottawa Muslim Association is deeply saddened by the reports of vandalism of a local synagogue in Ottawa, as well as the vandalism of a rabbi’s home earlier this week,” the association posted on its website.

Global News reported that Statistics Canada found race is the prime factor in hate crimes, while religion holds second place.

The most targeted groups are blacks, Jews, homosexuals and Muslims, Global reported.

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