One week after protest, targeted mosque hosts open house

Masjid Toronto open to the public Saturday, people of all faiths are invited to attend

Flowers and posters are left as gifts at Masjid Toronto following the Celebrate Islamophobia protest. Masjid Toronto/Facebook

The Muslim Association of Canada and Masjid Toronto, which was the site of a Celebrate Islamophobia protest on Saturday, is hosting an open house tomorrow in response to last week’s picketers.

The event is to run 12–6 p.m. at the mosque at 186 Dundas St. Event organizers are advertising a day filled with a historical retelling of the history of the building, as well as chances to learn about cultures throughout the community.

The event is being promoted to people of any faith. Fifteen hunbdred Toronto locals have been invited to the gathering, with more than 600 expected to attend.

Many have left messages of support on social media pages run by the groups, condemning the recent actions of protestors.

Premiere Kathleen Wynne tweeted in solidarity with those opposing Islamophobia, as did Mayor John Tory, a frequent visitor of the downtown mosque.

Rise Canada, the group that organized the protest, say their actions were a necessary step towards exposing “the radical mosque.”

On its website, the group said it was justified in responding to oppressive supplications delivered by imams at the mosque.

The mosque also posted a statement on the incident on their own website.

“It has come to our attention that an inappropriate supplication that was offensive to those of Jewish faith, was made in our downtown mosque,” the post said. “Such language is unacceptable and against the values and practices of … Masjid Toronto and the Muslim Community at large.”

Representatives from Rise Canada are yet to acknowledge the response from the mosque.

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Posted: Feb 24 2017 10:23 pm
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