Anti-Muslim violence ‘not going to change how we do things,’ imam says
Community is grateful for support from others
WATERLOO REGION — Eid will be celebrated as always by Waterloo Masjid.
Tuesday’s gathering for the Muslim holiday will be adjusted only for pandemic restrictions, not the vandalism of a Cambridge mosque last week.
“It will go on,” said imam Abdul Syed. “It is not going to change how we do things or celebrate.”
A Cambridge man was arrested and charged on the weekend following an investigation into the break-in at the Baitul Kareem Mosque by Waterloo Regional Police’s hate crime unit.
Syed said most people are good and only very few are intolerant. When there’s an incident like the Galt mosque being vandalized or the deadly attack on a Muslim family out for a walk in nearby London last month, Muslims appreciate gestures of support from the wider community.
“We are very happy to see that,” Syed said. “Generally, things are good. We need to keep working so things won’t go out of hand.”
It’s essential that people “work together, shoulder to shoulder” to champion tolerance and acceptance, he said. Hate and racism spreads like a contagion if left unchecked.
“Canada is a good place and to keep it good is the responsibility of all of us,” Syed said.
Vandalism at the Cambridge mosque is another example in a growing number of incidents targeting people of the Muslim faith, and Waterloo Region isn’t immune.
“No doubt, Islamophobia is on the rise,” Syed said.
Waterloo’s Om Adam felt safe and accepted in her new home until a terrifying incident the same week as the London attack in early June. (The Record is not identifying her by her full name because she fears for her safety.)
Wearing a hijab, she was out shopping at a halal store in the city and needed to cross the roadway from where her car was parked. Loud music from a van caught her attention, but it wasn’t moving and she started across because the way was clear.
“He started his van and went very fast toward her,” translated Wisam Osman of the Coalition of Muslim Women of Kitchener-Waterloo.
She ran to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle, then retreated to a restaurant in the plaza where a man inside who spoke her language offered comfort. She was crying.
“It took her some time to calm down,” Osman said.
Police were called the following day to report what happened, but there were no cameras to catch the incident and potentially identify the vehicle.
Since then, Om Adam hasn’t felt safe. She looks many times before crossing any street and has become sensitive about how others view her while in public spaces.
“She would think people are looking at her differently,” Osman said.
She’s hopeful those feelings will pass and eventually she won’t be fearful for herself and her daughters when they’re out in the community.
Syed said the actions of a few won’t hamper how members of the Waterloo mosque practise their faith. “It won’t make any difference in what we are celebrating or doing.”
Before COVID-19, Muslims would come together by the thousands at RIM Park to pray alongside each other to mark Eid. But that can’t happen this year due to limits on gathering sizes.
Instead, the Waterloo mosque will hold four prayers — ensuring adequate physical distancing by having people inside the mosque and spilling outside into the parking lot.
Shaking hands and hugging each other is common, along with visiting with friends after prayers. Unfortunately, all those practices won’t happen this year, but the holiday will still be celebrated in a way that’s allowed regardless of what’s going on in the world.
“We will pray and go home quickly.”
“Canada is a good place and to keep it good is the responsibility of all of us.” ABDUL SYED WATERLOO MASJID IMAM