Another hate-related incident has Winnipeg’s Muslim community frustrated

Another hateful graffiti was found on the door of Abu Bakr al-Siddique Mosque and Community Centre, making it the newest site in a string of hate-related incidents in Winnipeg.

“We are concerned about that. Why this is happening?” said Adnan Siddiqui, the director of the Abu Bakr al-Siddique Mosque and Community Centre.

The mosque leadership was notified about the incident by the police. Wednesday, Siddiqui says, by the time he found out about the hateful graffiti, it was already removed.

“It is not the first time. Our centre has been targeted a few times in the past as well,” said Siddiqui.

Locals attending the mosque on Friday say that while they are concerned, it does not turn them away from their place of worship.

“This is nothing new. This has been happening, and it will happen. Something that you can’t change,” said Yusuf Abdulrehman, who attends the mosque.

This is just one of the hate-related incidents reported in Winnipeg in recent weeks. Winnipeg police confirmed Friday that an arrest was carried out regarding the case.

“34-year-old Oliver Ederhof was taken into custody yesterday at 11:46 a.m. without incident and is now facing charges in relation to anti-semitic vandalism,” said Inspector Jennifer McKinnon, with the Major Crimes Division of the Winnipeg Police Service.

While not all locations were spray-painted with swastikas, police allege the suspect hit 14 separate locations, including residences and vehicles, along with the synagogue on Wellington Avenue, Kelvin High School, and the mosque on Ellice Avenue.

“Acts of hate have no place in our community. They do not represent who we are, and they will not be ignored. For today, this arrest will not erase what happened, but it is important to step towards accountability and healing,” said McKinnon.

Hakim Ghulam, Chair of the Manitoba Islamic Association, said, “People who are generally behind it, they are trying to create fear and insecurity among the public. And it was very, very sad to see these events happening in our city.”

The investigation is still ongoing, and the suspect has been released on an undertaking.