UW-MSA denounces Waterloo Mosque defacement
- For Immediate Release -
(March 20th, 2010) - The UW-Muslim Students' Association (UW-MSA) along with the Muslim Society of Waterloo and Wellington Counties (MSWC) strongly condemns the vandalism of our local Waterloo Mosque. While the UW Muslim student population is deeply upset and hurt at the defacement of the community mosque, we trust that our local security officials will carry out their investigation to the fullest extent possible and apprehend the criminals promptly.
UW-MSA encourages its members to assist the Waterloo Masjid administration in their cleanup efforts to remove the offensive graffiti from the mosque walls and repair the broken windows in the women's prayer area. There isn't a more important time for the Muslim community to stand united and strong when their most cherished institution, the masjid, is attacked and damaged by those few who wish to spread hate.
UW-MSA also urges MSA-National and other regional MSAs to spread awareness of the Waterloo Masjid defacement in their communities so that the local authorities are made aware of these hate crimes and can take appropriate steps to monitor such places of worship.
UW-MSA Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.uwmsa.com |
CTV News Coverage on Waterloo Masjid Vandalism
CTV Source
Windows Web Media Player plug-in required
|
|
Press Release from Waterloo Mosque:
MSWC condemns the vandalism of Waterloo Mosque
Friday, March 19th, 2010 12:10pm
-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
(Waterloo, Canada - March 19th, 2010) - The Muslim Society of Wellington Counties (MSWC) condemns today's act of vandalism on the local Waterloo Mosque. The MSWC calls on the Waterloo Police to ensure this incident is investigated as swiftly as possible as a hate crime and that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
This repetitive targeting of Canadian mosques is an issue that needs to be dealt in a matter of urgency by the respective authorities. Mosques in Hamilton and Montreal have been targeted in a similar manner with bricks being thrown through windows and graffiti painted on the mosque walls. In Waterloo Masjid's case, offensive pentagonal symbols and '666' signs were spray-painted on the walls, and the windows were smashed into in the women's prayer area. The Muslim community is deeply saddened to witness the destruction and vandalism of their local mosque especially on a Friday where all Muslims of the community gather together every week for their congregational Friday prayers.
The defacement of any place of worship is deeply offensive and hurtful, and such acts of vandalism and violence are not tolerable in any civilized society. MSWC calls on our local politicians and security officials to stand firm against such hate crimes and bring the criminals responsible to justice.
MSWC also urges patience for the local Kitchener-Waterloo Muslim population in this time of difficulty and encourages the strengthening of relations with our neighbours and building bridges of understanding and tolerance among Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
MSWC looks forward to cooperating with the local police in this urgent matter.
If you have any information or tip regarding this incident, please call 519-653-7700 ext. 3331 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Waterloo Masjid Public Relations
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.waterloomasjid.com
|
|
