The Globe and Mail, August 10, 2006
Police arrested two men on eight charges in what they called a hate-crime investigation early yesterday morning at an east Toronto mosque. The men were arrested around 1:30 a.m., after worshippers discovered a damaged door and held two men until police arrived.
Several men were offering prayers early in the morning at the Madinah Mosque on Danforth Avenue when one of them was alerted by a loud banging on the door leading to a parking lot. The men rushed outdoors, saw the damaged door and caught up with the men in the parking lot.
The mosque’s caretaker, Ahmed Patel, an elderly, retired man, was sleeping when the incident occurred. The small group of worshippers took care of the situation, he said. Once they had caught the men, Mr. Patel said, the police were called. They arrived five minutes later.
There was a brief confrontation between the suspects and the worshippers, after which one of the suspects allegedly shoved a worshipper, said Detective Antonio Macias of 55 Division.
When the police arrested the men, they were in possession of a small axe or hatchet and a mallet. Police believe the mallet was used to damage the mosque door.
Det. Macias said both men were under the influence of alcohol.
They have been charged with mischief relating to religious property, possession of weapons dangerous to the public, and possession of burglar tools. One is also charged with disguise with intent for allegedly wearing a balaclava, and the other is also charged with assault.
Although there have been worries about backlash attacks ever since the June 2 arrests of 17 Muslim men on terrorism-related charges, there has been only one other incident.
The International Muslims Organization of Toronto mosque in Rexdale was vandalized on the weekend after those arrests. Mosque officials said they were certain the arrests were related to the attack, in which 25 windows and three glass doors were smashed.
There have been no incidents reported to police since then.
“This is an isolated incident and specific to these two gentlemen,” said Det. William Stanley of 55 Division.
Shawn Knott, 18, and Ryan Smith, 19, both of Toronto, were being held in custody overnight at 51 Division and are to appear for a bail hearing this morning.
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