Edmonton police said their hate crimes unit was called in to help investigate after a prominent and well-attended mosque in the northwest part of the city was visited by a group whose activities are known to police.
A police spokesperson told Global News they could not identify the group being monitored because “groups change names and alliances frequently, so there’s no consistent name they go by.”
The communications director of Al Rashid Mosque said people she works with were very concerned when the men visited.
“They toured the mosque, came upstairs to the women’s section… they were just looking like they were scouting the place and then he (one of the men she called suspicious) went downstairs and went to the bathroom.”
Al-Henedy said the men left when approached by the mosque’s executive director. She said the men joined other members of their group outside and a confrontation unfolded with members of the community. She said one of the people who was part of the group she didn’t know and who was involved in the confrontation streamed the encounter live online.
“The security and safety of everyone that was coming to pray in the mosque was our priority,” she said. “So we called the cops right away to get them to come and evaluate the situation and eliminate any threats that may have happened because we were not really sure what was happening.
“We are entrusted by our community as an organization to make sure that we have the freedom to practise our religion and we wanted to make sure that everybody was in a safe place and nobody was getting harassed.”
LISTEN BELOW: Noor Al-Henedy speaks with 630 CHED’s Ryan Jespersen.
Ty Hunt told Global News he was one of a group of five men that went to the mosque so that he could use the bathroom and they could ask questions about Islam. He said it’s hard for him to ask questions of Muslims because “there’s no Muslims at the Yellow Vest rallies” and “it’s hard to run into a Muslim on the street.”
Hunt is the bearded man seen entering the building to use the bathroom, and who was wearing the toque that says “infidel” in Arabic.
“I’ve got a tattoo on my neck that says ‘infidel’ as well… it just means non-believer… in anything,” Hunt said.
“The Christians don’t get offended by it…I’ve gotten more feedback by the Muslims than I have anybody else…. I put it on my neck because it’s time for them to get over it. You’re in Canada, now it’s [time to] integrate into Canada.”
In a phone interview, Hunt told Global News he is a former member of the Soldiers of Odin, a far-right group that has members that “adhere to extreme right-wing ideology and are not afraid to use violence,” according to a declassified Canada Border Services Agency intelligence report obtained by Global News
Watch below: (From September 2018) A few blocks away from where thousands of people gathered for an annual Labour Day barbecue in Edmonton, a protest was held against a group known for its far-right views. Kim Smith reports.
Hunt said he left the group and joined another one known as The Clann. He said he is involved in a movement that is opposed to the United Nations because of a threat he said it poses to Canadian sovereignty. He said he supports the Yellow Vest movement and has “questions about Islam.”
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Police said officers showed up at the mosque at around noon but there were no arrests.
Al-Henedy said police also went to the Edmonton Islamic Academy to make sure everyone was safe there.
“We are working with them (police) to make sure such incidents do not happen again,” she said.
The mosque issued a formal news release on Saturday.
“We will not tolerate trespassers or agitators in our house of peace,” the new release said. “The Muslim community of Edmonton is an institution of God, good works and community. We live and espouse these values within our great city and nation.
“Unfortunately, there are hate groups and individuals intending to deceive the public with wrong information about Islam and its values. Islam is rooted in the word Salam, meaning peace.”
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Premier Rachel Notley took to Twitter to denounce hate on Friday night without directly referencing the mosque incident.
“Hearing that a hate group is openly harassing and terrorizing people in #yeg with racist and homophobic attacks and posters is beyond upsetting,” her tweet read. “This is not who we are.
“There is no room for this kind of hate in the strong, open and optimistic Alberta that inspires me and is our home.”
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UCP Leader Jason Kenney also tweeted about the incident, describing it as “odious” and that is has “no place in our Alberta.”
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