A Muslim advocacy group and Canada's Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, have strongly condemned an alleged attack on an imam outside a mosque in Victoria, British Columbia.
Details of the alleged incident
According to reports, the imam was assaulted in what is being described as an unprovoked attack. The incident occurred near a mosque in Victoria, though specific details about the timing and circumstances have not been fully disclosed. The Canadian Press reported the story on June 21, 2026.
Marc Miller, speaking on behalf of the federal government, denounced the attack and expressed solidarity with the Muslim community. He emphasized that such acts of violence have no place in Canada and called for a thorough investigation.
Response from the Muslim community
A Muslim group, whose identity was not specified in the initial report, also decried the attack, urging authorities to treat it as a hate-motivated crime. The group called for enhanced security measures at places of worship and for community members to remain vigilant.
“This alleged attack is deeply troubling and must be met with the full force of the law,” Miller said in a statement. “We stand with the imam and the entire Muslim community in Victoria.”
Broader context of rising hate incidents
The attack comes amid a broader increase in reported hate crimes targeting religious minorities in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, police-reported hate crimes rose by 32% in 2023, with incidents targeting Muslim communities among the most common.
Local police in Victoria have launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses. No arrests have been reported as of the publication date.
