Dec 12, 2022: An imam was allegedly assaulted during morning prayers at Islamic Foundation Toronto (Nugget Mosque), Scarborough which is calling on police to keep open all avenues in their investigation, including the possibility that hate might have played a role.
Islamic Foundation Toronto calls for police not to rule out hate as a possible factor.
Islamic Foundation Toronto, located in Scarborough, said in a tweet Monday that an intruder disrupted the dawn prayer and assaulted its imam before “two brave congregants quickly held him back and called 911.
“During the prayer, we faced a terrifying incident this morning,” tweeted Imam Yusuf Badat.
Toronto police confirmed they were called to the mosque at 7 a.m. for reports of an assault. Media officer Shannon Eames told CBC News that no charges had been laid, and the alleged attacker was not taken into custody. Police do not consider it a hate-motivated crime, and the individual left the scene after it happened, Eames added.
In a statement, the mosque said, “our hearts are deeply troubled, and we know that many in our community are deeply concerned.” “We simply do not have enough information to assess what led to this incident,” the statement went on, calling on police to keep “all avenues of investigation open, including potential hate motivation.”
Politicians of various stripes expressed concern over the incident on Twitter, including Mayor John Tory, who said, “places of worship should always be safe places.” Mayor Tory also thanked the congregants who stepped in and the police for investigating.
Police say the investigation remains active, and charges are still possible.
