Accused in Mississauga, Ont. mosque attack now facing terrorism proceedings

A 24-year-old man who’s going through a number of prices in reference to an assault on a mosque in Mississauga again in March is now topic to terrorism proceedings in court docket, Peel police say.

In a information launch on Wednesday, Peel police stated the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Ministry of the Legal professional Basic have “consented to the graduation of terrorism proceedings” towards Mohammad Moiz Omar.

This is not an occasion the place police have added new prices — however terrorism proceedings being coupled with the court docket case will enable prosecutors to probably pursue more durable sentencing submissions, ought to Omar be discovered responsible.

Investigators allege that on March 19, Omar entered the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga and sprayed bear spray in direction of congregants whereas brandishing a hatchet.

“Our group has a elementary proper, and deserves, to really feel secure and safe,” stated Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, in an announcement.

“Any try to jeopardize the security of our group can be met with each effort to deliver these accountable to justice.”

Police say Omar’s offences “represent terrorist exercise” beneath Canada’s felony code. His prices embody:

• Two counts of assault with a weapon.
• Administering a noxious substance with intent to hazard life or trigger bodily hurt.
• Possession of a weapon for a goal harmful to the general public.
• Uttering a risk to trigger dying or bodily hurt.
• Carrying hid weapons.
• Mischief to spiritual property.

“This incident has deeply impacted Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre members and carries rippling impacts all through our group,” Duraiappah stated. “Folks ought to anticipate to have the ability to collect peacefully and safely with out concern.

“Our service is dedicated to proceed to working with our companions and the group to make sure that hate and violence haven’t any place in our group.”

Islamophobia a risk to group, imam says

In an announcement issued by the Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), the mosque’s imam, Ibrahim Hindy, stated this incident illustrates how violent Islamophobia is an existential risk to members of the group.

“I hope at present would be the first step in direction of justice with regards to this surprising and violent incident that might have been a lot worse if it weren’t for the braveness of our group members,” he stated, referring to congregants who tackled the alleged attacker and subdued him earlier than police arrived.

The NCCM additionally famous that these new proceedings had been agreed to in court docket simply two days after the primary anniversary of a truck assault the place 4 members of a Muslim household in London, Ont. had been killed. Police imagine the motive force intentionally focused the household due to their religion. 

“This is not the primary time that our locations of worship have been violated in a technique or one other,” stated NCCM workers lawyer Nusaiba Al-Azem, in an announcement.

“Our group must heal, however that begins with seeing justice carried via with regards to the one that might have destroyed so many extra lives that morning.”

Al-Azem lauded the Crown’s choice within the case, but additionally stated extra must be performed to fight Islamophobia on the entire.

“We all know that we have to proceed to have interaction governments and businesses in any respect ranges to take motion to maintain our communities secure now and sooner or later.”.

Fatema Abdalla, a spokesperson for the Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims, stated in an interview outdoors the mosque that the council welcomes the terrorism proceedings.

“Sufficient is sufficient. And it’s about time that we see actual motion. And that’s precisely what that is,” she stated.