TORONTO – Waterloo Regional Police are investigating after vandals smashed two windows at a Hindu temple in Kitchener, Ont. late Sunday evening.
Police said the incident happened on Nov. 15 around 11:15 p.m. at the Ram Dahm Hindu temple located on Bridge Street East.
Authorities said a total of five rocks were thrown at two panes of glasses at the rear of the building. No injuries were reported.
Police said they are not investigating the incident as a hate crime and are considering it as property damage.
“People will jump to certain conclusions, however our investigation will continue,” said Staff Sergeant Michael Haffner. “It’s one of the questions that will be posed for those responsible.”
Police said patrols were stepped up at places of worship across the region following the act of vandalism.
READ MORE: Paris attacks prompt Canadian Muslim group to issue warnings of potential backlash
Ontario MPP Catherine Fife said in a statement she was “deeply saddened” over the incident.
“The Ontario that we all want is a diverse, open and peaceful society. Like everyone in Kitchener-Waterloo, I condemn any vandalism or violence motivated by ethnic or religious differences,” said Fife.
The rock-throwing incident occurred just two days after the deadly attacks in Paris that claimed the lives of at least 129 people. The Islamic State has assumed responsibility for the death toll.
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In Ontario, a number of suspected hate crime cases have authorities concerned.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement he was “deeply disturbed” after a mosque in Peterborough was ravaged by a fire on Saturday.
On Monday, a Muslim woman was allegedly attacked in Toronto by two suspects and had racial slurs directed at her.
She allegedly had her hijab pulled off and was told to “go back to your country.” The woman was taken to hospital for unspecified injuries and was later released.
READ MORE: Arson behind blaze at Peterborough, Ont. mosque
On the same day and in the same Toronto neighbourhood where the attack took place, anti-Muslim graffiti was also discovered written inside the hallway of an apartment building.
Police said the graffiti was found on the hallway of a 16th floor apartment building located in Toronto’s Flemingdon Park area, near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East.
Police are searching for suspects in both cases.
VIDEO: ‘Muslims go home’ graffiti smeared across hallway of apartment building
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