30 MORE | NCCM : “We have been greatly distressed to learn about an apparent violent hate crime at a Markham mosque, where an individual yelled slurs, tore up a Qur’an, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.”
We wanted to communicate clearly with our congregation and our neighbours about a highly distressing apparent hate crime that recently took place at our centre.
On or about the morning of April 6,
An individual came to the Islamic Society of Markham (ISM),
One of the oldest and largest Muslim institutions in Markham.
Thousands of congregants attend the ISM,
And the centre is much busier because of the sacred month of Ramadan.
The individual brought his car to the mosque.
Upon entering the mosque,
he tore apparently a copy of the Qur’an,
And began a racist and Islamophobic rant directed towards the worshippers.
The individual,
Upon exiting the mosque,
Then attempted to run over or strike worshippers with his vehicle.
We are deeply troubled by this incident,
Especially as we near the anniversary of the London Terror Attack,
Where a family in London was run down in an act of hatred.
We appreciate the support of the York Regional Police,
Who moved swiftly to make sure our congregation was safe,
And to our understanding have arrested and charged this individual.
We further urge YRP to continue investigating this issue as a potentially hate- motivated crime.
We know that our congregation is a strong and loving community.
Our security and logistics team have taken additional steps to keep worshippers safe in the next days of Ramadan.
We will be hosting a press conference at the ISM this Monday to provide further information.
Honestly, ever since the London Mosque attack I’ve been vigilant when crossing in front of vehicles. Is the driver a racist that will put their foot on the gas pedal and run me down? I wait until cars completely stop to know it’s safe. May God protect us & our mosques 🕌 https://t.co/6T05YuPllW
Deeply disturbed to hear of the violent hate crimes and racist behaviour at the Islamic Society of Markham. To Muslims in Markham and Canada, I stand with you. (1/3) https://t.co/sHCSlwI5Ts
I strongly condemn this act of hatred. The night before this incident I joined other leaders to break fast with the Muslim community. I thanked them for all their contributions. Markham strongly condemns #Islamophobia & we stand in solidarity with the Markham Muslim community. https://t.co/6bfHhj6Cmj
— Mayor Frank Scarpitti (@frankscarpitti) April 9, 2023
Reports of another deeply disturbing incident of #Islamophobia in GTA. After desecrating a Quran inside the Islamic Society of Markham, a man then attempted to run worshippers over with his car.
— Senator Salma Ataullahjan (@SenatorSalma) April 9, 2023
FMC-CMF expresses its strong dismay and condemnation of the hate crime that the ISM was subject to. https://t.co/8YVR5OfSDK Islamic Society of Markham#Islamophobia
— CanadianMuslimForum (@CNDMuslimForum) April 9, 2023
I am deeply saddened by the hate motivated attack that took place out side of the Islamic Society of Markham on April 6th, during the holy month of Ramadan.
The rise of Islamophobia motivated attacks is deeply concerning & we must stand up against it. We will not let hate win.
Another day, another hate-motivated attack in Ontario. We're approaching the anniversary of the London Terror Attack and words are not enough when governments can take real action to keep communities safe and stop Islamophobia.#onpoli#Ramadan2023#MarkhamMosquehttps://t.co/BsiyvZqxP2
— Kristyn Wong-Tam 🇨🇦 (@kristynwongtam) April 9, 2023
Too much hate. And without fast thinking by security, it could have been devastating.
We all need to work together in support of religious freedom and against hate and discrimination that too often leads to violence. https://t.co/KzNRAgfLsK
The one year anniversary of the attack in London is approaching. And the truth is, the fate of that beautiful family haunts so many in the Muslim community.
Hate kills. It has killed. And nothing will change if we do not reject it or confront it. And do so loudly. (3/3)
My heart is scared. My mother, my 16-year-old niece, and countless uncles/aunts and first cousins attend at this mosque every single night for taraweeh (nightly prayers during Ramadan). In praying my family and other Muslims are simply exercising their #charter rights. #Ramadanhttps://t.co/xkHfFOOCfh
— Muneeza aka Noah’s mom (@Muneezalawyer) April 9, 2023
My mother goes to this mosque. This is terrifying. I will tell her not to go but I know she won’t listen because praying with her community is important to her. We shouldn’t be living in fear yet it’s hard not to. https://t.co/iPLQ0XOlXw
23-113350 Investigators with the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a suspect with several criminal offences after a suspected hate-motivated incident at a mosque in the City of Markham.
On Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 6:55 a.m.,
York Regional Police responded to a call for a disturbance at a mosque on Denison Street.
Witnesses reported that a male suspect had attended in a vehicle and drove directly at one of the worshippers and yelled threats and religious slurs.
The suspect drove dangerously in the parking lot before leaving the property.
Members of the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau were notified and worked cooperatively with the Intelligence Unit and Hate Crime Unit to identify the suspect.
Members of the Hate Crime Unit attended the mosque to offer support to its members.
The suspect was identified and a warrant for his arrest was issued while efforts were made to locate him.
Shortly after midnight, on April 7, 2023,
members of York Regional Police arrested the suspect in Toronto.
CHARGED:
Sharan KARUNAKARAN, 28, of Toronto
CHARGES:
Uttering Threats
Assault with a Weapon
Dangerous Driving
Sharan KARUNAKARAN was held for a bail hearing.
His next scheduled appearance is at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the Town of Newmarket on April 11, 2023.
Investigators are concerned there may be other victims and police encourage them to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541,
Les personnes qui fréquentent cette mosquée de Markham, ainsi que leurs proches, sont profondément inquiets en cette fin de semaine.
Nous devons faire tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour contrer la haine qui menace nos droits et tenir les auteurs de ces actes responsables. https://t.co/sgr196gMpL
York Regional Police say they're treating the Thursday-morning incident at the Islamic Society of Markham as a hate-motivated attack. https://t.co/NdKceJy8HD
York Regional Police say they're treating the Thursday-morning incident at the Islamic Society of Markham as a hate-motivated attack. https://t.co/yAXcUBKayv
A Toronto man has been arrested following an alleged attack in the parking lot of a Markham mosque where thousands of congregants were gathered for Ramadanhttps://t.co/1M402Alf3l
Condemnation poured in Sunday in response to what the Islamic Society of Markham (ISM) said was "a hate-motivated attack" at its mosque last week. https://t.co/TtJfBAmSaj
I join many others from diverse communities in strongly condemning this act of hatred and Islamophobia that took place at Islamic Society of Markham. I stand together in solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and across the country. pic.twitter.com/Zl4Soq6lMg
This is terrifying. Me and family go to pray regularly. I can't even compute factoring in a violent man trying to kill us as we quietly worship. I am furious and scared. https://t.co/5L5Z5YQXRU
After the horrific attack and vehicular murder of a family in London (2021) it took me weeks to be able to walk on the bloody sidewalk again. Because the thought of someone wanting to kill me because I wear hijab it too real.
Anyone know more about this? Canada has been home to some of the most heinous attacks on Muslims in North America (Quebec Mosque shooting, stabbing attacks, 2021 killing of a Muslim family, etc) – so this is, in fact, very distressing and a cause for heightened concern. https://t.co/7KkjMWMddK
Thank you, @YRP for your prompt response and apprehension of the individual responsible for these heinous acts. Canada’s diversity is our strength and I remain committed to standing against hate, injustice and bigotry to support the diverse groups of people that make up Markham.
This is very sad and upsetting. This will cause unnecessary tension between worshippers visiting the masjid. Law enforcement officials are urged to make sure that the Muslim community feels safe praying at the masjid. We stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters in Markham.
— ICNA Sisters Canada (@icna_sis_canada) April 9, 2023
— Muneeza aka Noah’s mom (@Muneezalawyer) April 9, 2023
W/ @CP24 – all Muslims have the right to practice peacefully. All places of worship in Canada should be safe havens. These are our charter rights as Canadians. pic.twitter.com/ztkWQmEmrx
— Muneeza aka Noah’s mom (@Muneezalawyer) April 9, 2023
We must call out Islamophobia and hate whenever we see it. The attack at the Islamic Society of Markham during Ramadan must be condemned in the strongest terms. Those responsible must be held accountable. We stand united in ending all forms of hate. https://t.co/BejxqU2Sgd
The recent attack in New Jersey and Markham have many of us are feeling nervous going to mosque this Ramadan. My mosque is a joyful place full of families. It remains open all evening and welcomes everyone – whether you’re Muslim or not. Would be sad if this changes. https://t.co/h9kY1m3Vop
The violent hate crime that took place in this Markham masjid is very disturbing, especially so close to the anniversary of the London attack + during Ramadan. On behalf of @OntarioNDP, we send love & strength & will continue to work with you to combat violence & Islamophobia ☪️ https://t.co/Yf6ULVl4vt
An outrageous act of violent islamaphobia in Markham during this holy month of Ramadan. It is yet another heart breaking example of hate and vitriol faced by our Muslim sisters and brothers. https://t.co/6NDrJlYOxN
Thank you to the York Regional Police for their swift action in apprehending the person responsible. This violence and Islamophobia has no place in Canada and in our communities, to all Muslim-Canadians, I stand with you.
this is the mosque i grew up going to. the mosque where i learnt how to read the qu’ran. the mosque where i made lifelong friends. the mosque that solidified my faith.
The Board’s Traumatic Events Support team will be deployed to schools affected by this incident. Here are some tips about speaking with your child after a tragic event https://t.co/zftUS7tLbt.
I am shocked and saddened to hear about the violent hate attack on Islamic Society of #Markham and it’s worshipers especially during the month of #Ramadan We must stand together to eliminate #islamophobia as hate has no place in #Canadahttps://t.co/Sw3coC0bPB
The attack on the Islamic society of Markham during the holy month of Ramadan is unacceptable. I stand with my Muslim brothers and sisters in condemning this attack in the strongest terms possible. Hatred and bigotry have no place in Canada. https://t.co/mootW6NwPj
I'm pleased that a suspect has been arrested and charged in last week's anti-Muslim attack at the Islamic Society of Markham.
My thoughts are with all of the individuals and families who were affected. Hate, violence, and Islamophobia have no place in our community. https://t.co/wrUAiGdxYD
This violent, hate filled attack on Muslims at the Islamic Society of Markham is a sad reminder that we must keep fighting #Islamophobia & all forms of hate – a fight that must be fought by all of us, together. Our places of worship must be safe for all those who wish to pray. https://t.co/I5q7qCLnCV
Acts of hate have no place in our communities. The Canadian Tamil Congress stands in solidarity with Islamic Society of Markham and committed to creating welcoming and safe space for all. pic.twitter.com/EIeVTD0tVk
The Canadian Tamil Congress stands in solidarity with the Islamic Society of Markham following a suspected hate-motivated attack on April 6th.
It is disconcerting that anyone would seek to harm individuals peacefully practicing their religion during such a sacred time.
Acts of hate have no place in our communities, and we strongly condemn such heinous actions.
The Canadian Tamil Congress is committed to working together to create welcoming, inclusive and safe communities for all.
During this holy month of Ramadan, we’d like to express our solidarity with members of the Muslim faith and wish everyone strength, peace and comfort.”
L'attentat perpétré à la Société islamique de Markham pendant le Ramadan est tout à fait inacceptable. Chaque Canadien doit se sentir en sécurité lorsqu'il se rend dans son lieu de culte. Notre gouvernement continuera à lutter contre l'islamophobie et toutes les formes de haine. https://t.co/klvif5Cddv
The attack at the Islamic Society of Markham during Ramadan is completely unacceptable. Everyone in Canada should feel safe to attend their place of worship. Our government will continue to fight Islamophobia and all forms of hatred. https://t.co/85xmmBj97g
Thank you @HonAhmedHussen for your solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and beyond during this time of rising #Islamophobia.
This is a time for unity & action. Our places of worship are sacred. So is our right to worship. It's time to stop hate that threatens us all. https://t.co/Ti6iYdufX3
Thank you @marcomendicino for your solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and beyond during this time of rising #Islamophobia.
This is a time for unity & action. Our places of worship are sacred. So is our right to worship. It's time to stop hate that threatens us all. https://t.co/SxAW6tohqG
Thank you @HelenaJaczek for your solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and beyond during this time of rising #Islamophobia.
This is a time for unity & action. Our places of worship are sacred. So is our right to worship. It's time to stop hate that threatens us all. https://t.co/H1Ldn5z8YC
Thank you @maritstiles for your solidarity with the Muslim community in Markham and beyond during this time of rising #Islamophobia.
This is a time for unity & action. Our places of worship are sacred. So is our right to worship. It's time to stop hate that threatens us all. https://t.co/Woe1RrUVcS
Conservatives strongly condemn the criminal actions of an individual who recently disrupted the peaceful worship of congregants at the Islamic Society of Markham, spouting hateful rhetoric and attempting to strike worshippers with his vehicle.
Comments on: "30 MORE | NCCM : “We have been greatly distressed to learn about an apparent violent hate crime at a Markham mosque, where an individual yelled slurs, tore up a Qur’an, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle.”" (1)
May Allah bless you brother for your committment to Islam and for visiting various Mosques around the GTA. I was very pleased to meet you Saturday night at TARIC and look forward to seeing you again many times my brother.
May Allah bless you brother for your committment to Islam and for visiting various Mosques around the GTA. I was very pleased to meet you Saturday night at TARIC and look forward to seeing you again many times my brother.