Muslim teams and Tradition Minister Marc Miller are decrying an alleged assault on an imam of a mosque in Victoria on Thursday evening.
Miller mentioned in a tweet that the reported assault is “appalling and vile” and that such violence and Islamophobia haven’t any place in Canada.
The BC Muslim Affiliation mentioned in a press release that Ebrahim Ali, head imam of BCMA Masjid Al Iman Victoria, was the sufferer of the alleged assault within the metropolis’s downtown.
The assertion mentioned that in line with info supplied to it, the imam was seated in his car close to his residence shortly after prayers when he observed somebody inspecting his automotive.
“Upon noticing Imam Ebrahim contained in the car and sporting his conventional white thobe, the person tried to pressure open the automotive door and subsequently assaulted him,” the assertion mentioned.
“In the midst of the incident, Imam Ebrahim was pressured to defend himself, leading to a bodily altercation throughout which each people exchanged blows.
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“In the course of the confrontation, the suspect reportedly directed xenophobic remarks at him, telling him to ‘return to your own home nation.’”
The assertion mentioned the suspect fled the world following the assault, and that Ebrahim referred to as 911 and adopted the individual in his car whereas nonetheless on the telephone.
It mentioned a suspect was situated and arrested.
Mohammed Imtiaz Asin, a spokesman for the BC Muslim Affiliation, mentioned in a telephone interview on Saturday evening that the imam suffered gentle head accidents however was nicely sufficient to conduct prayers on Friday.
“One thing like this has by no means occurred earlier than,” Asin mentioned, noting the imam was comparatively new to Vancouver Island.
Police in Victoria haven’t but responded to a request for details about the incident.
The Nationwide Council of Canadian Muslims mentioned in a press release that the alleged assault is a reminder of the hazard that rising Islamophobia poses.
“We can’t stand by as incidents like this proceed to occur with such surprising frequency. Leaders in any respect ranges should converse out in opposition to this violence and should take concrete motion to handle rising anti-Muslim hate,” the council’s assertion mentioned.
The BC Muslim Affiliation mentioned it was grateful for the swift motion of Victoria police and praised the imam’s braveness.
“We stand in solidarity with Imam Ebrahim and reaffirm our dedication to fostering a secure, inclusive, and respectful society for all.”
© 2026 The Canadian Press
