Worshipper nearly struck by vehicle outside Surrey, B.C. mosque, police say

Police are investigating following stories {that a} Ramadan worshipper was practically struck by a automobile exterior a mosque in Surrey, B.C., an incident that has left the B.C. Muslim Affiliation (BCMA) “deeply involved.”

Mounties say worshippers have been exiting after night prayers on the Surrey Jamea Masjid on Wednesday night time when a automobile sped as much as them simply earlier than 11 p.m.

An individual contained in the automobile then threw water at three pedestrians. The automobile then veered off the highway and one pedestrian was “nearly struck,” based on Mounties.

“Whereas the suspect’s motives will not be but recognized, this can be a very disturbing incident directed at our Muslim group,” the RCMP stated in a assertion.

“We might be working to find out motive and wish to reassure the group that the incident might be totally investigated.”

Police say they’ve recognized a suspect, however are nonetheless in search of witnesses and any additional data as they proceed to analyze.

The BCMA stated in a press release Thursday that its first precedence is ensuring congregants are protected within the aftermath of the incident, and that they’ve requested police to analyze the incident as a hate crime.

The assertion additionally stated somebody inside a automobile threw a substance on the worshippers leaving night prayers, earlier than the automobile sped away after which returned to repeatedly feign attempting to run individuals over.

Muhammad Asad Gondal, president of the affiliation, stated the incident had profoundly shaken the congregation on the mosque.

“It is particularly disturbing for the harmless worshipper, particularly [since it happened] the place they worship,” he stated.
“They’re connecting with God they usually’ve been attacked.”

Gondal stated plenty of kids and ladies stroll to the mosque within the neighbourhood. 

He added that he does not understand how the incident will have an effect on turnout on the mosque — a number of days earlier than Eid, Islam’s holiest pageant.

Of their assertion, the BCMA stated pretending to run individuals over is “not a small matter” after a Muslim household in London, Ont., was struck and killed by a truck final summer season in what police have stated was a hate-motivated assault.

The Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims stated it is calling on political leaders, together with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and B.C. Premier John Horgan, to prioritize difficult Islamophobia.

“Whereas motion has been taken on a few of our suggestions, lots of the suggestions we put ahead after the London Terror Assault haven’t been realized,” the council tweeted.

“We have to do extra. And we have to do it now.”