NCCM Condemns Arson Attack On Alberta Mosque

Welcomes RCMP Decision to Treat As Hate Crime

-For Immediate Release-

(Ottawa – June 17, 2018) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties & advocacy organization, condemns in the strongest terms the brazen arson attack on the Edson mosque in Alberta late on Saturday evening.

Security footage outside the mosque showed a person in a black hoodie, holding a red jerry can, leaving the premises shortly after 11PM. The blaze burned for approximately fifteen minutes before firefighters arrived at the scene to extinguish it.

“We strongly denounce this cowardly act of arson against a mosque, particularly when Canadians Muslims across the country are celebrating Eid ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the Ramadan. We are relieved no one was hurt in the attack and we stand in solidarity with the entire Edson mosque community at this difficult time,” says NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee.

This is the first time the Edson mosque has been subject to any sort of attack since it opened in 2013, leaving many residents in shock as to how something like this could take place in their town.

“”NCCM welcomes news that the RCMP will investigate this hateful attack as a potential hate crime. A clear message needs to be sent that such vile actions that threaten communities will not go unpunished,” added Gardee.

“We take this opportunity to encourage all mosques, Islamic institutions and community centres to review our ‘Muslim Community Safety Kit’ for specific information on ways to keep communities safe when faced with potential hate crimes and hate incidents. The kit is available both online and for print order,” says NCCM Communications Coordinator Leila Nasr.

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization that is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

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