Watch above: The Cold Lake Mosque made national headlines in October after it was targeted by vandals. But as Laurel Gregory reports, it has brought the community closer together.
EDMONTON — It was an act of vandalism that shocked the nation – the words ‘go home’ written in red ink across the entrance to the Cold Lake Mosque. But if the hateful message was intended to divide the community, it appears to have backfired.
“We have seen an outpouring of emotion and general empathy from the community,” said Riaz Ingar, a member of the mosque. “Our non-Muslim neighbours and friends wanted to make it clear that this was not a sentiment that they share.”
Muslims in Cold Lake gathered to thank their fellow community members Sunday. When the mosque was vandalized in October, community members didn’t hesitate to jump into action. They cleaned the walls and replaced the shattered windows within hours.
“I believe that they were offended by it, in the sense that they want us to feel included in the community,” said Ingar.
“Clearly, it started as such an unfortunate event and I think our community did really come together and say, ‘This isn’t what we’re about,'” said Jennifer Dusyk-Johnson, a local high school teacher who attended Sunday’s forum.
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Sunday’s gathering wasn’t just to say thank you, but to broaden the community’s understanding of Islam. The forum started with a prayer, followed by comments from Ingar, Mayor Craig Copeland and the RCMP. A question and answer period with those in attendance followed.
“There’s no religion, secular or political ideology that doesn’t have fanatical elements, extremists or violence,” said Jamal Badawi, a professor and author of Islam.
Cold Lake residents want the Muslim community to know they don’t share the views of the vandals who targeted the mosque. The search for those responsible continues.
RCMP say evidence is being tested, but at this point no suspects have been identified and no one is in custody.
With files from Laurel Gregory, Global News.
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