Calgary mosque vandalized for second time in a week
Ranchlands vandalism follows similar incident in Queensland last Friday
For the second Friday in a row, a Calgary mosque has been vandalized.
The glass on the front door of the Ranchlands Mosque in northwest Calgary was smashed, officials from the Islamic Association of NW Calgary (IANWC) discovered on Saturday morning.
A sign indicating that the mosque was open during construction was alsothrown in the parking lot, they said.
The vandalism mirrors a similar incident last week at the southeast Islamic centre in Queensland, where the glass was smashed and a Quran burnt.
Once again,the group has called fordialogue with the person who targeted thecentre, not revenge.
"IANWC firmly believes in harmony, peace, and love for everyone in and around our neighbourhood," said Dr. Abdur Rahman, IANWC chairman in a statement on Saturday.
Beenish Khurshid says it's disappointing to see the damage at the mosque, but sayssheisn't afraid.
"It was a little bit hurtful, but really that's just a small minority of the population that does acts like these,"Khurshidtold CBC News.
"The vast majority of Canadians are quite welcoming and we really enjoy the love and respect that the Ranchlands community gives us," she added.
Rahman said IANWCmembers enjoy good relations with their neighbours. They partneredwithRanchlands Community Association (RCA) to organizethis year's Stampede Breakfast. And every year, about 100 Muslimvolunteers shovel snow on Christmas day in the neighbourhood.
Next month, themosque will open its doors for all community members to visit, in an event called 'Our House is Your House.'
The two incidents this week are the latest in a series of attacks on religious groups in Alberta.
Earlier this month, about 40 anti-Muslim posters were plastered around the University of Calgary campus.
More posters targeting Sikhs hit the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton late last month.
With files from Terri Trembath
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