BC Muslim Association ‘gravely concerned’ after driver pretends to run over congregants at Surrey mosque


This incident is “not a small matter” after a Muslim family in London, Ont., was struck and killed by a truck last summer in what police have said was a hate-motivated attack.

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The BC Muslim Association says it is “gravely concerned” after an incident Wednesday outside a Surrey mosque.

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The association says in a letter shared on Twitter by the National Council of Canadian Muslims that a car sped by Ramadan worshipers leaving evening prayers and a substance was thrown by someone in the vehicle.

The letter dated Thursday says the car sped away, but returned and repeatedly feigned trying to run the congregants over.

Surrey RCMP said it is investigating after receiving a report of water being thrown from a moving vehicle at three pedestrians walking in the area of ​​124 Street and 72A Avenue just before 11 pm.

A subsequent call also came in saying the vehicle left the road and almost hit one of the pedestrians.

The BC Muslim Association said pretending to run people over is “not a small matter” after a Muslim family in London, Ont., was struck and killed by a truck last summer in what police have said was a hate-motivated attack.

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It says its first priority is making sure congregants are safe in the aftermath of the incident in Surrey, and it’s also calling on police to investigate it as a potential hate crime.

Mounties said they have identified the person they believe was driving the suspect vehicle, but do not know the suspect’s motives.

“This is a very disturbing incident directed at our Muslim community,” said RCMP in a statement.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has information to contact them at 604-599-0502.

In a series of tweets, the national Muslim council says it’s calling on political leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and BC Premier John Horgan, to prioritize challenging Islamophobia.

“While action has been taken on some of our recommendations, many of the recommendations we put forward after the London terror attack have not been realized,” it says. “We need to do more. And we need to do it now.”

— with files from Cheryl Chan


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