Politicians were quick to paint an incident at a Mississauga, Ontario mosque as a hate crime, despite the attacker being named as Mohammad Moiz Omar by police.
The 24-year-old man from Mississauga who allegedly attacked worshippers at the mosque during a congregational prayer on Saturday.
He has since been charged with assault with a weapon, administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, uttering threats, carrying a concealed weapon, and mischief to religious property.
Police are still investigating the incident as being potentially hate-motivated.
"Peel Regional Police take these incidents very seriously. And 12 division Criminal Investigations Bureau will be continuing this investigation and further charges may follow,” Supt. Rob Higgs said, according to CP24.
Politicians showed their support for the mosque, but made no mention of the alleged attacker's name, conveniently leaving that detail out from their condemnations.
Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino tweeted that he was "shocked and appalled to hear of an attack at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, which [Peel Police] are investigating as a hate crime... Now more than ever, we must stand up with all Muslim Canadians against Islamophobia."
I’m shocked and appalled to hear of an attack at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, which @PeelPolice are investigating as a hate crime. My thoughts are with the community. Now more than ever, we must stand with all Muslim Canadians against Islamophobia.
— Marco Mendicino (@marcomendicino) March 19, 2022
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath joined in the jumping to conclusions, writing: "In response to an evil, violent act of Islamophobic hate, the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre community acted courageously to keep folks safe. We all stand with them. But it should never come to this. Everyone deserves to be safe in their community and place of worship."
2/ This is why we need urgent government action to tackle Islamophobia and all violent hate.
— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) March 19, 2022
This is why we must pass #OurLondonFamilyAct now to protect people and stop this horrific pattern of violent hate before anyone else is threatened or we lose another life. #ONpoli
"This is why we need urgent government action to tackle Islamophobia and all violent hate," she continued.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's acknowledgement of the attack did not go so far as to call it Islamophobic, instead calling it "incredibly disturbing."
The attack on congregants at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre is incredibly disturbing. I strongly condemn this violence – which has no place in Canada – and I’m keeping the community in my thoughts today. I also want to applaud the courage of those who were there this morning.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 19, 2022
Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a statement to CP24 that violence against Muslims or any community in a place of worship is "totally unacceptable."
"We stand with the Muslim community in Mississauga, Toronto and across Canada in the wake of this assault," Tory wrote.
"Our work to make sure everyone can pray in peace without fear, threats or violence must continue."
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