Representatives from local organizations and church groups, politicians and members of the community turned up to show their support

BRANTFORD, Ontario – The local mosque in Brantford, southwestern Ontario, Canada, was jam-packed  on Friday, October 26, with people, members of the community coming in droves in a show of support after hate messages were spray-painted on the building and parking lot.

“We had to be here,” said David Bailey, who was elected Brant County mayor in Monday’s municipal election, Brantford Expositor reported.

“What happened was really unfortunate. Quite shameful.”

Last weekend, profanity-laced graffiti was left on the mosque’s wall and pavement of the parking lot. The messages included: “Go back to Arabia” and “Go home – You are not welcome.”

Similar hate messages were found on an adjacent building owned by the city. Yet, Muslim leaders said they were overwhelmed by the huge support they received from the community.

David Bailey, mayor-elect for the County of Brant speaks at the Brantford Mosque on Friday, October 26, 2018, in Brantford, Ontario. A Solidarity gathering was held after hateful messages were spray-painted on the walls and parking lot of the Mosque earlier in the week. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network

Imam Abu Noman Tarek said the Greenwich Street mosque has received more than 1,000 emails.

“My two daughters were born here,” said Tarek, his voice breaking with emotion.

“The only national anthem they know is the Canadian national anthem. This is their home, my home, our home.”

Imam Abu Noman Tarek speaks at the Brantford Mosque on Friday, October 26, 2018, in Brantford, Ontario. A Solidarity gathering was held after hateful messages were spray-painted on the walls and parking lot of the Mosque earlier in the week. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network

Rich History

According to Tarek, Muslims began coming to Canada in the early 19th century and more than one million now live here.

“They are your neighbors in one city or another,” he told the crowd.

“They have shortcomings but they are not terrorists. We want you to know who we are. We only offer love and peace.”

Boards filled with some of the positive messages were put at the front of the room.

“This is about being a good human being,” said retired Brant MPP Dave Levac.

“Evil wins when good does nothing. We have defeated evil by being here.”

People write words of encouragement on poster board at the Brantford Mosque on Friday, October 26, 2018, in Brantford, Ontario. Brian Thompson/Brantford Expositor/Postmedia Network

Natasha Dobler, executive director of Nova Vita, said the hate messages are “emotional and psychological violence against a group of people in our community.”

“That’s not OK,” she said.

“We are an anti-violence agency and we’re here to promote peace and love and show our solidarity.”

Gerald Fisher, chair of advocacy and community engagement with the Hamilton Jewish Federation, said they encounter the “same kind of disgraceful behavior on a regular basis.”

“We can genuinely empathize,” he said. “We face the same stuff.”

Fisher said he was buoyed by the large turnout.

“There are lots of people here who have never stepped into a mosque before. It makes you proud to be a Canadian.”