Ontario, March 20: Police say a man allegedly attacked worshippers at a Mississauga mosque during an early morning congregational prayer on Saturday.
Peel Regional Police said they received a call at around 6:57 a.m. about the incident, which took place at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in the area of McAdam Road and Matheson Boulevard.
Officer said a man walked into the mosque and allegedly discharged bear spray towards the congregation while brandishing a hatchet.
Police said members of the mosque quickly overpowered the man until officers arrived. Some mosque members received minor injuries due to the bear spray.
The mosque’s imam, Ibrahim Hindy, wrote on social media that the violent attack took place during the dawn prayer.
“An individual came wielding an ax and carrying numerous other sharp-edged weapons, as well as pepper spray,” he said. “Before he could inflict harm on any worshippers, several congregants bravely were able to stop him in his tracks.”
“Our community will never be broken and we refuse to be intimidated.”
Today at the Fajr (dawn prayer) at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, our congregants were subject to a violent attack.
An individual came wielding an ax and carrying numerous other sharp edged weapons, as well as pepper spray. (1/3
— Ibrahim Hindy (@Hindy500) March 19, 2022
Nadia Hasan, of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said there were about 20 people in the mosque at the time of the attack. She said the man allegedly sprayed the worshippers while they prayed.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a statement Saturday afternoon condemning the attack.
“I am incredibly grateful for their heroism, and my heart goes out to the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre community who were attacked this morning,” he said.
“There is no place in our province for such evil and hateful acts. We must ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the attack at the mosque is “incredibly disturbing.”
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