Peel Region Police Investigate Vandalism at Mississauga Islamic Centre as Possible Hate Crime
A disturbing incident at a Mississauga Islamic center is under investigation by Peel Region police as a potential hate crime. The incident, captured on surveillance video, shows a man using his skateboard to shatter the glass doors of the Islamic Circle of North America’s Mississauga chapter in the early hours of August 15.
According to Minhaj Quershi, the center’s president, the man had been spotted multiple times in the area, even waving in a friendly manner before the vandalism occurred. Quershi expressed concerns for the safety of the Muslim community following the attack, noting a noticeable impact on attendance, especially among children attending evening schools and morning Quran classes due to fear.
Sgt. Tyler Bell from Peel Regional Police highlighted the challenges of the investigation, emphasizing the difficulty in identifying the suspect solely based on the video footage. The police are treating the incident as a hate-motivated crime, with the Hate Crime Unit actively involved in the case.
While hate crimes have been on the rise, there has also been an increase in reporting such incidents, indicating a heightened awareness and willingness to address these issues within the community.