Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Hamilton mosque to condemn hatred in all forms
Published July 20, 2021 at 3:09 pm
We need all of us — Muslim, non-Muslim — to recognize that intolerance and hatred that exists around the world also exists in Canada.
That was the message from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his Tuesday (July 20) morning visit to Hamilton Mountain Mosque.
Trudeau condemned recent incidents of Islamophobia and also referenced antisemitism, misogyny, and homophobia.
“This community has never been afraid of a little hard work, and neither am I,” he told the crowd. “We will roll up our sleeves together.”
Trudeau also made remarks about Eid al-Adha, an official Islamic holiday that runs from July 19 to 23 this year and translates to Festival of the Sacrifice.
This morning I joined @JustinTrudeau on a visit to the Hamilton Mountain Mosque in attending their Eid al-Adha celebration and in support of the community in the wake of last week’s hateful attack against a Muslim family in #HamOnt. pic.twitter.com/DEOQK7bjzv
— Filomena Tassi (@FilomenaTassi) July 20, 2021
Videos
The prime minister’s visit comes in the wake of several anti-Muslim hate crimes in Ontario. A London family was killed last month and recently in Hamilton, a mother and daughter were allegedly assaulted in an Ancaster parking lot.
40-year-old Vince Licata of Cambridge is facing charges that include three counts of uttering threats and two counts of assault with a weapon.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 12 night, Licata allegedly almost struck one of the victims after a verbal altercation.
The interaction escalated with the suspect uttering threats towards the victims while using Islamophobic slurs targeting the Muslim community, according to police.
The victims reportedly ran across the street and hid behind bushes while the suspect searched for them.
Police say the suspect eventually located the mother and daughter and threatened to kill them.
One of the victims ran screaming for help before witnesses intervened before the suspect fled the area.
Trudeau will also visit Indwell’s Royal Oak Dairy project in Hamilton’s Landsdale neighbourhood at 11:30 a.m. for a housing announcement.
He will be joined by Hamilton MP and Labour Minister, Filomena Tassi and Ahmed Hussen, minister of families, children and social development.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising