30 Masjids 🟩

“Suspected Hate-Motivated Mischief Investigation,Oak Street and Weston Road area

Unit: 12 Division
Case #: 2023-696807
Published: Friday, March 31, 2023, 1:33 PM

The Toronto Police Service is informing the public of a suspected hate-motivated investigation.

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 5:30 a.m.,

the Toronto Police Service received a call for a Hate Crime/Mischief that occurred at an Islamic Centre in the Oak Street and Weston Road area.

It is reported that:

• two suspects spray painted graffiti on an Islamic Centre building at approximately 12:26 a.m.
• the graffiti contained hateful messages

The suspects are described as wearing dark clothing and were seen fleeing the area on foot eastbound along Oak Street.

After consultation with the Service’s specialized Hate Crime Unit, the investigation is being treated as a suspected hate-motivated offence.

Investigators are seeking anyone who witnessed the offence, or who were driving in the area at the time and have dash camera footage, to contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-1200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at www.222tips.com.

When suspected hate-motivated offences are reported to police, the investigation will be led by a Divisional investigator.

The Hate Crime Unit will be made aware and specialized officers from that unit will support the investigation as needed.

If it is alleged a criminal offence was committed (such as assault or mischief) and it is believed to have been motivated by bias, prejudice or hate, the officer-in-charge will consult with the Crown.

If a person is charged and convicted of the offence, the Judge will take into consideration hate as an aggravating factor when imposing a sentence.

Wilful promotion of hatred and advocating genocide are hate propaganda (hate speech) offences which require the Attorney General’s consent.

Members of the Hate Crime Unit will provide assistance and support to the divisional investigators in seeking the Attorney General’s consent to lay these charges, if applicable.

These charges are often laid at a later time.”

CTV News Toronto – Broadcast on Thursday evening March 30 2023

“If we don’t know each other, we hate each other sometimes.

But when we come to know each other, then we will know who we are, who you are, who I am.

You know,

Those who put this hatred words on our walls,

They come to their sense,

And realize what they are doing is, in 2023, not the right thing.

Come, visit us.

Talk to us.

We will show you who we are.

We are not the hatred people.

We’ll show you.

But come and join us even.

I wanna invite them and come and join us,

And see what we have in here.”

— Abdul-Kedir Nagei, Speaking to CTV News Toronto