B.C. politicians are slamming a video they say spreads hatred, stressing there is no place for antisemitism or violence in the province.
The video in question is repotedly one that came out of Port Coquitlam earlier this month.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth, who is also from the city, confimed the RCMP is investigating, as it “should for any calls for violence.”
“There is a video from POCO circulating that spreads hatred through calls for violence. This is reprehensible. To be clear – there is no place for antisemitism or hatred of any kind in BC,” the minister said on X Thursday.
According to local Jewish organizations, the remarks were part of a sermon by an Imam at a mosque in the community.
B’nai Brith Canada says the comments were “highly inflammatory and dangerous,” adding, “his rhetoric promotes hatred and incites violence against Jews and Christians.”
The group says “Imam Abyat glorified martyrdom through violence” in his sermon.
“This kind of hate speech and incitement is unacceptable and has no place in our society,” a social media post reads.
B’nai Brith says it took “immediate action” and reported the remarks to police.
“B’nai Brith Canada remains committed to standing against hate and ensuring the safety and security of all Canadian society. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and take all necessary actions to combat such hate speech,” the group said.
In his own statement on the matter, Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West condemned the comments.
“This sort of vile hatred and call for violence and death should never be welcomed in our country, and it sure as hell isn’t welcome in Port Coquitlam. I implore the relevant authorities to investigate and take action,” he wrote.
The Coquitlam RCMP confirms to 1130 NewsRadio is has opened a file on the matter and is looking into it.
We have reached out to Masjid Al-Hidayah through the Islamic Society of British Columbia for comment.