Sign outside Fort McMurray Islamic centre defaced

RCMP in Fort McMurray are investigating after derogatory graffiti was written on a sign outside an Islamic centre that's still under construction.

The words "F--k" and "ISIS" werewritten on the sign at Abraham's Landing, an area in Fort McMurray designated for religious buildings in Fort McMurray.

Wood Buffalo RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Terri-Ann Deobald said police received a number of calls about the graffiti, including a formal complaintfrom the municipality, around 9 a.m. Tuesday.

'This is not just about Muslims'

Imam AbdurrahmannMuradof Fort McMurray'sMarkaz-Ul-Islammosque said when he first learned about the defaced sign on social media, he thought it was fake.

"Initially Iwas in disbelief,I thought it was photoshopped," Murad said. "But then when I read the comments on Facebook,I was surprised and shocked."

'I was surprised. I was shocked' Fort McMurray Imam says

7 years ago

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Fort McMurray's Islamic community and residents are shocked a sign outside a future mosque was defaced. RCMP in Fort McMurray are investigating after derogatory graffiti was left on a sign outside an Islamic centre thats still under construction.

Standing with Murad during an interview with CBC News, Pastor Robert Parmenter of the McMurray Gospel Assembly said the the graffiti was an insult to allreligions in Fort McMurray.

"We want to show a united front that this is not just about Muslims," Parmenter said.

The municipality of Wood Buffalo said staff immediately went to the location and cleaned up the graffiti.

Municipal spokesperson Adam Hardiman said Wood Buffalo prides itself on its diversity.

• Fort McMurray now one of Canada's most diverse cities

"We are disappointed to see this take place in our community," Hardiman wrote in an email. "However, we are confident that a spirit of inclusivity and respect will continue to guide how we treat each other as neighbours."

'Disgusted' by the graffiti

Resident MatthewGarcin drove by the sign Tuesday morning.

He turned his car around, took a couple photos and immediately called the municipality's24-hour hotline, saying he was "disgusted" by the graffiti.

"The person who did this clearly doesn't understand what this area is about,"Garcinsaid. "Although it could be perceived as hate, it really shows the ignorance of a few people."

Garcincondemned the graffitti and said he wants the FortMcMurrayIslamic community to know thathe and many otherswelcomethem.

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The Fort McMurray Islamic Centre is currently under construction. When it's finished, the complex will feature a mosque, recreation centre and pool. When it's complete,the Islamic centre will be the largest in North America, Muradsaid.

The RCMP is appealing to anyone who witnessed the vandalism or has surveillance or dash-cam footage of the incident to come forward to police.