NCCM condemns anti-Semitic vandalism in Greater Toronto

-For Immediate Release-

(Ottawa – August 13, 2013) The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) today condemned the recent vandalism of a Richmond Hill country club on Saturday.

According to a media report, two swastikas were carved into the green of a hole on the club’s grounds, which is situated in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood.

« NCCM stands with our fellow Canadians in unequivocally denouncing this act of hate and intimidation, » says Ihsaan Gardee, NCCM Executive Director.

« We urge local politicians and security officials across the GTA, as well as provincial and federal governments, to continue to work together to persistently combat all forms of racism and hate, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. We call on the authorities to prosecute the perpetrators of these acts to the fullest extent of the law in order to send a strong message against hate crimes and intolerance.

« We also urge community leaders to remain vigilant and to immediately report suspicious behaviour to the authorities in order to establish a clear record of such incidents, » says Mr. Gardee.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Police at 1-866-876-COPS (5423) or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The NCCM is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit grassroots advocacy organization that is a leading voice for Muslim civic engagement and the promotion of human rights.

CONTACT: Ihsaan Gardee, Executive Director, 613.254.9704; 613.853.4111

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