Islamophobic graffiti disgusts restaurant owner

Hateful message spray- painted in three spots around the building

A Calgary restaurant owner says he is “disappointed” after finding the words “F... Islam” spray painted in red, capital letters on the outside of his building Monday morning.

Sat Khezri, owner of KOOB The Kabob Factory on 72 Ave. SE, near the intersection of Glenmore Trail and Stoney Trail S. E., said the message was spray- painted in three spots around the building, including a white brick facade in the front.

He said he initially didn’t notice any of the graffiti because he came through the back door in the morning and was only informed of the vandalism by a neighbouring business.

“I was obviously in shock and shaking my head and disgusted that this would even be an issue,” Khezri said. “Guaranteed, it was a target. In the complex itself, there’s a Wonton King and a McDonald’s for food. We’re the only Muslimlooking place even though we don’t have halal food and we’re not pushing Islam or anything like that. But we serve kabob.”

Calgary police say they are aware of the incident and are investigating.

Khezri said he originally did not want to publicize the incident because he didn’t want to give the perpetrators satisfaction.

He said he immediately covered up the messages and informed the police, who told him they would come clean up the graffiti. He said he doesn’t know who is behind the incident.

“It’s not even an Islamic restaurant. We’re born and raised Calgarians. The restaurant itself is born and raised in Calgary. We’re just an institution that wants to serve good food to Calgarians,” Khezri said. “The fact that they did that was obviously because we have a Middle Eastern base. Obviously these people are small- minded people that did this.”

It’s not even an Islamic restaurant. We’re born and raised Calgarians ... obviously these people are small- minded people that did this.