Members of Winnipeg’s Islamic population say there is a real concern for the safety of their families attending local mosques. On Saturday at the Masjid Bilal, members of the Winnipeg Police Service said a suspicious male confronted several youth on site, threatening violence. “In this case are they now going to feel afraid going to a mosque?” said Shahina Siddiqui, executive director of the Islamic Social Services Association. “That’s a sanctuary for all people of faith. It impacts the entire community in a way, that ‘Okay, who’s next’?” The WPS has charged a 48-year-old man with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson from the Masjid Bilal Mosque said the incident was especially disturbing. They say in part “every child and every family should be able to attend a place of worship and participate in community without fear or intimidation.” “That’s where they are the most safe,” Siddiqui said. “That has been shattered.” Siddiqui said it’s not the only recent event to shake the local Islamic community. The Rahma Islamic Centre was targeted in a drive-by shooting in late July. “The memories remain because there was a family inside that mosque when they were doing it, there were young people there as well,” she said. “The most important thing is we are one people,” said Hakim Ghulam, chair of the board with the Manitoba Islamic Association. “We are one Manitoba. We need to respect each other despite our differences.” Ghulam is asking the community to come together. It’s not the only group asking for change. Members of Winnipeg’s Jewish community were stunned to see the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, targeted by gun violence. “I continue to be abjectly saddened by what I’m seeing happen across our country,” said Senior Rabbi Carnie Rose of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. Rose said their message is clear to families afraid of antisemitic attacks. “Don’t stop coming, don’t allow hate to overcome love,” Rose said Tuesday. “Come, participate, exclaim that we are here. The good people, supportive people and that we are never alone.” A WPS spokesperson tells CTV News they are encouraging anyone who experiences threats of violence to come forward. They do not believe the incident from Saturday and late July are connected.
