Ottawa's Muslim community is expressing concern after a sign marking the future location of a mosque and Muslim community centre in Barrhaven was defaced.
The Canadian Council on American Islamic Relations has "strongly condemned the defacement," which includes offensive words, phrases and symbols.
"Such acts are offensive, hurtful and intimidating to local citizens," the council said in a statement issued Friday.
The organization says several similar instances of hate have been reported at mosques in Hamilton, Calgary and Waterloo in the last four months. A mosque in Pickering was spray-painted earlier this week.
Ottawa's Muslim community says although the vandalism has them concerned, they believe the vandals' sentiment is not widespread.
The red and black graffiti was discovered by residents in the area early Friday morning. It has since been removed. Ottawa police are investigating.
The latest statistics show there were 785 hate crimes committed in 2007.
Jewish people are listed as the most frequent targets, accounting for 16 per cent of hate crime victims. Muslims are targeted about four per cent of the time.
