Possible hate crime near McMaster targeted Muslim women

Six McMaster Universitystudents have moved out of a house in Westdale after a series of alarmingincidents including a knife being stuck into awall of their house one night last week, according tothe father of one of the students.

The six women are Muslim, andhave reported the incidents to police.

Hamilton Police confirmed that the Hate Crime Unit is investigating a reported incident that took place at the same location, but willnot discuss specific details while the investigation is ongoing, said Const. Stephen Welton.

"Hamilton Police takes all reports of this nature seriously,"Weltonsaid.

The father of one of the students told CBC News that the students have found temporaryhousingelsewhere. CBC agreed not to name him or his daughter to protect the women.

Before the knife was discovered, there were earlierincidents including onewhere possessions appeared to have been rummaged through. The incidentsfrightened the women and they had begun sleeping in the same room, the father said.

The incidents have come just before exam time and have the women feeling very upset, the father said.

"It is very sad," he said. "It is a heartbreaking thing."

McMaster University spokesman Wade Hemsworth said "the university is unable to provide any information."