Toronto, November 12, 2014 - Late last week, three mosques in Quebec, were defaced with derogatory remarks, while windows were deliberately broken at a mosque in Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu frequented by the man who ran over and killed a Canadian soldier last month.
Chairperson of the CRRF, Albert Lo, condemned these acts of hate stating, "Such cowardly acts are an outright rejection of the values core to the Canadian identity of inclusion that we all must uphold. That they should have taken place as the country was getting ready to mark Veterans Week and Remembrance Day, a special period of time when we focus on the sacrifices so many made to ensure respect for our fundamental principles of democracy, is simply disgraceful.”
Anita Bromberg, Executive Director of CRRF added, “The targeting of these places of worship are acts of bigotry and ignorance that must be confronted head-on. The best way to do this is, first, by a committing to an universal denunciation that completely rejects violence and hatred. Second, Canadians must continue to work together as individuals and as communities based on our common commitment to a Canada grounded firmly on the values of human rights and freedoms, equality and mutual respect. Diversity in a population united in its citizenship values is what will keep us strong."