Denis Coderre denies Montreal mosques a hotbed of radicalization

Mayor Denis Coderre is downplaying concerns expressed by his Quebec City counterpart that Montreal's mosques are a hotbed ofradicalization.

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Rgis Labeaume told a news conference on Wednesday that the recent terror attacks in Brussels should prompt closer scrutiny of what occurs atplaces of worship in Quebec.

"There are one or several mosques where there is radicalization,"Labeaume said, specifying the mosques in question weren't located in Quebec City.

"It's more in Montreal," he said. "I don't want to intrude in Montreal's affairs, but as a Quebec citizen I have to say that radicalization is happening in places of worship. We can't accept that. We have to take action."

Upon hearing Labeaume's comments, Coderresaid: "I'll letRgis worry about what's happening in his backyard."

While it is normal to have concerns following the Brussel attacks, the best response was not to resort to profiling,Coderresaid.

Headded thatradicalization now frequently occurs over the internet, as opposed to in mosques. He also pointed out the creation of the city's anti-radicalizationcentre has been a valuable resource for dealing with potential problems.

"We're giving ourselves the tools to go where its happening, because its often not happening in mosques," Coderre said.