‘Deeply disturbing’: Toronto police investigating after violent threats made toward midtown mosque

Sijia Liu spoke with General Manager Shaffni Nalir about the multiple violent threats made against the Toronto Islamic Centre

Toronto police are investigating after violent threats were made toward a midtown mosque earlier this week.

In a post on Instagram on Friday, the Toronto Islamic Centre (TIC) said it received a “deeply disturbing” phone call from an unknown person who threatened violence.

The mosque, located in the area of Yonge Street and Davenport Road, shared that the person used Islamophobic and racist language and made “explicit threats of murder” during the call.

The Toronto Islamic Centre said the person called for a second time, in which they told mosque staff to search for the 2019 mosque attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, where 51 people were shot and killed by a white supremacist.

“The individual then stated that someone in Toronto would do the same to us,” the mosque said in the statement.

The Toronto Islamic Centre noted that it reported the incident to police and is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its congregants.

The National Council for Canadian Muslims (NCCM) posted a video in which portions of the call can be heard.

At one point, the person, who claims not to be from Canada, is heard threatening to bomb the mosque.

Toronto police confirmed to CP24 that they are aware of the threat, which is now under investigation.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, in a statement, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the reports of “heinous threats” toward the mosque.

“Toronto is a city built on compassion, diversity, and a profound respect for people of all faiths,” Chow said.

“We will not tolerate threats of violence, Islamophobia, or hate of any kind. Every resident deserves to feel safe in their place of worship.”

In an interview with CP24 on Friday night, Shaffni Nalir, the general manager of the mosque, said the calls came in on Wednesday just after the evening prayer.

“Getting these threats is not something new to us. However, this level we’ve never heard of before,” Nalir said.

According to the mosque, it is not the first time that it has received threats, pointing to the incidents in 2020 and 2023. During the 2023 incident, a person came to the mosque and physically harmed three worshippers.

“We’re all part of the fabric of the city and so for someone that’s not even from the city, let alone not even from the country, to call and tell us, ‘You’re not from here,’ and on top of that, to wish death and violence upon us, the community that comes here... I have no words for something like that,” he added.

Nalir shared that Toronto police had been able to trace the call and that he was waiting to hear any investigation updates.

The recent threats, he said, have caused some to question whether the mosque is a safe place to bring their children to.

“People are afraid. There is that fear, but also at the same time, there’s a togetherness as well. Typically, in times like this, in times where things become difficult for the community, we tend to hold on to one another more closely,” Nalir said, adding that members of other religions have reached out to show their support.

“Just because this person did call us with these very violent and visual threats, whether he came in front of the centre or did it over the phone, we’re still going to continue praying, no doubt about that. So, nothing’s going to stop that. And so we’re very adamant on that. If someone wants to wish us peace, we wish them peace. If someone wants to wish us violence, we wish them guidance.”

Nalir said the mosque received another call earlier Friday. He shared that it was from a different person.

“If people do call us and wish us whatever they want to wish us, it’s not going to change anything. We’re still going to be here. We’re still going to be worshipping; the community is as strong as ever,” he said.

The mosque is calling on public officials and community partners to work together with local organizations to combat Islamophobia.

“We will not be intimidated,” the mosque said. “TIC has stood in this city as a place of worship, service and community for over a decade. We will not be silenced by threats or fear. Hate has no place here, and violence has no power over us. We remain present, united and steadfast in our commitment to serve with courage and dignity.”

The NCCM said it is in contact with the mosque.

“Unfortunately, violent Islamophobia is rising across Canada. It is time for elected leaders to work with community members to generate real plans to make sure that our community is safe,” the NCCM said.