NCCM condemns attack on military personnel in Toronto

Praises police chief for speaking out against Islamophobia

(Ottawa – March 15, 2016) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), a prominent civil liberties and advocacy organization, condemns yesterday’s attack on two members of the Canadian Forces in Toronto.

A 27-year-old male has been arrested and charged with several criminal offences following the stabbings at a military recruitment centre in Toronto on Monday afternoon. During the attack, the individual reportedly said: “Allah told me to do this, Allah told me to come here and kill people.” Two military personnel were injured and taken to hospital. The injuries are not life-threatening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the two victims of this attack and with their families,” says NCCM Executive Director Ihsaan Gardee. “These attacks are reprehensible. We applaud the Toronto Police Service for swiftly arresting and charging the alleged perpetrator. We call on the authorities to fully investigate the motivations behind the attack, as well as the perpetrator’s mental state.

“We also would like to thank Toronto police chief Mark Saunders for advising the public against allowing this incident to lead to Islamphobia and anti-Muslim retribution. It is critical that both media and politicians are clear to distance the acts of this alleged criminal from the wider community. The vast majority of Canadian Muslims, like their fellow citizens of all faiths and backgrounds, abhor violence and condemn any and all criminal acts committed in the name of their faith.

“Canadian Muslims take the threat of radicalization to criminal violence extremely seriously and are committed to working with law enforcement and all stakeholders to ensure that this ideology and those promoting it are confronted at every turn and held to account.”

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

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