Islamophobia: Threatening break-in attempt at Toronto mosque, suspects arrested

As per mosque’s board of directors, a man and a woman tried to enter the main and side door of the Islamic Institute of Toronto (IIT) in Scarborough, but both doors were locked.

The suspects threatened to detonate a bomb and shoot people, told two staff members who were working on the lawn.

However, no injuries were reported.

Police stated that the man (24) and woman (22) were taken into custody and are facing a number of charges, including break and enter, uttering threats and mischief endangering life.

According to a police press release, “They were believed to be under the influence of illicit drugs and had no weapons or explosives on them”.

Police further added that the Hate Crime Unit has been notified, but “there is no evidence to suggest this is hate-motivated at this time”.

Police did not say why the two were trying to get into the mosque, which is closed because of COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation is still ongoing.

The IIT also published a statement on Facebook, detailing the security incident.

The incident comes week after four members of a Muslim family in Ontario were run down in a hate-motivated, Islamophobic attack.

The IIT is one of the several mosques across the country to hold a vigil for the murder of the Muslim family last week, at which speakers called for an end to Islamophobia and the violent targeting, mainly women.

In a statement on its website, the mosque told its members it was in contact with police about what happened.