Islamic community shocked by intrusion
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Font: * * * * Sarah Chapman, Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, June 03, 2006
Members of a northeast Islamic centre were left frightened and shaken after three people entered the building during prayer time and started shouting expletives on Friday night.
It was the second incident in one week at the Al-Madinah Islamic Centre on Falsbridge Drive N.E.
“It was really horrifying,” said Shahzada Khan, who was one of the seven people praying inside when they heard someone kicking the rear exit door.
Khan said they ignored the sounds, not wanting to break their prayer.
Then, the nine people outside moved to the front of the building and began pounding on the glass windows. Three of them, two men and one woman, entered the centre and started shouting.
“They were using vulgar words, the f-word. I thought they were going to throw something,” Khan said, adding he couldn’t see the group because they were facing the northeast wall.
“I can’t believe it. I can’t accept it, still.”
The intrusion scared the group inside, particularly an 11-year-old boy.
Members of the group called 911 and recorded license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions while police arrived on scene.
On May 26th at 11 p.m., someone drove a vehicle into the exterior wall of the building with such force, it separated the staircase inside from the wall, said Malik Ashraf, president of the centre.
Ashraf believes it may be the same group responsible for both incidents.
The timing is also disturbing to Ashraf.
The group descended on the centre the same evening as police arrested suspects in the Toronto-area for allegedly plotting a terrorist attack.
“That is making me worry. There may be frustration and hate against Muslims and Islam,” said Ashraf, adding he wants Calgarians to know that members of the centre condemn the actions of terrorists.
“Anyone who is doing that, we want them to punished. I want to see them behind bars.”
schapman@theherald.canwest.com
© Calgary Herald 2006
“I can’t believe it. I can’t accept it, still.” The intrusion scared the group inside, particularly an 11-year-old boy.
OK.
Their friends are found with 3 Tons of explosive, and he's upset that someone used the F word in front of an 11 year old boy???
This is what they are saying.
Right?
Gee. :-(
I'm getting awfully frustrated with this situation.