Edmonton mosque vandalized with painted swastika

Policeare investigating after an east Edmonton mosque wasvandalized with a swastika andinvestigators said the incidentmight berelated to two other instances ofhate vandalism in the area.

A swastika was discovered Tuesdayon the wall of the Baitul Hadi Mosque in the Ottewell neighbourhood, on 98th Avenue near 71st Street.

It was discovered just nine daysafter a violent attack left four members of a Muslim family dead in London, Ont.

"We are deeply disturbed by the rising acts of violence against the Muslim community," said Baitul Hadi MosqueImam Nasir Butt in a statement.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said the hate crimes unit had been consulted, but the investigation was being ledbydivisional investigators.

Police say the swastika may have been placed on the mosque as early as April, when two other similar incidents of hate vandalism were reported inthe neighbourhood, on both a vehicle and a fence.

Investigators believe the same suspect or suspectsmay be responsible for all three incidents, EPS said.

"Investigating members are in close contact with the Baitul Hadimosque as they work through the investigation," police said in the emailed statement.

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Mosque president Humayun Ahmed said the graffiti is only visible from the back alleyandcould have been easilymissed, but was reported as soon it was discovered.

He said police have been supportive in their response but he believes the hate crimes unit should be asked to handle the investigation.

"This event has greatly troubled and saddened us, and all of our neighbours," he said in an interview Wednesday."We believe that this kind of faith-based hate crime has no place in Canada."

Ahmed said the city and police have offered counselling services for mosque members. Security at the building willbe increased, he said.

He said the mosque will continue its community outreach and education efforts in a bid to root out hatred and dispel misconceptions about the Muslim faith.

"The real teachings of Islam promotepeace and unity among different faiths."

"We would like to see ... an effort to unify in the face of this tragedy and give a positive response."

The vandalism was discovered days after a violentattack on a Black Muslim woman wearing a hijab in north Edmonton.There have been at leastsix hate-motivated attacks on Black and racialized Muslim womenin Edmonton in recent months.

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Alberta Premier Jason Kenneysaid it was "hurtful" to see the mosque vandalized.

"I have visited this mosque many times," Kenney said on Twitter. "A wonderful community made up of proud Canadians who are constantly giving back to our broader community. I hope the hateful vandals responsible for this are identified and face the full legal consequences."

Hepointed to a new grant program that helps fund security measures to deter hate crimes.

Safwan Choudhry, a spokesperson for national councilAhmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Canada,said the vandalism is a black eye for Edmonton and Alberta.

Choudhrysaid Canadian Muslims are on edge with the increase inincidents of violence against members of the community. People in Edmonton are particularly fearful, he said.

"We try to be as vigilant as we can be, with all of the security protocols that one can think of, but these hateful incidents continue to occur," he said.

"People that are bent on dividing society and creating fear of one another cannot win."