Hate crime unit investigating cartoon posted on mosque entrance

Hate crime unit investigating cartoon posted on mosque entrance

Hamilton’s Downtown Mosque has cancelled children’s classes and clubs over fears of safety after cartoons depicting a caveman dropping a copy of the Quran into an open fire, below the words, “primitive man discovers fire . . .” were anonymously posted on the mosque’s entrance.

The cartoon was originally published in the Toronto Star as a critique of Florida Pastor Terry Jones’ “International Burn a Quran Day.” It was not a critique of Islam.

The two black and white cartoons, printed on eight-by-ten white paper were discovered on Sunday duct taped to the doors into the mosque at 96 Wilson St.

A press release issued by the mosque’s board of directors says the cartoons incite violence and hate.

Hamilton police spokesperson Catherine Martin said the hate crime unit is investigating the incident. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Hamilton police define a hate crime as a criminal offence committed against a person or property motivated by hate or bias against a person’s race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age or gender.

The cartoons were discovered by the mosque’s board president, Wahed Al-Jabry, Sunday around 4 p.m. as the community prepared for a fast-breaking meal to celebrate the ninth day of Muharram – the first month in the Islamic calendar.

Al-Jabry was “shocked” at his findings. Then another member of the mosque found plants and flowers around the mosque had been uprooted.

The hate crime comes one week after an open house event, where the mosque invited neighbours and friends into the mosque.

In the release, board members question the motive behind the crime.

On Jan. 4, 2010 a Molotov cocktail was thrown through a window of the Hamilton Mosque on Stone Church Road East. No one was injured and no arrests have been made in that case.

The Hamilton Downtown Mosque will hold a press conference Dec. 9.

Source:

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/635101–hate-crime-unit-investigating-cartoon-posted-on-mosque-entrance