Carney Condemns Winnipeg Mosque Shooting as Islamophobia
MONTREAL-Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday condemned a shooting at an Islamic center in the city of Winnipeg as an act of Islamophobia after gunfire and vandalism targeted the facility while worshippers were gathered inside. No injuries were reported in the Wednesday night incident, and police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible.
Carney described the attack as “appalling” in a post on X, saying such violence had no place in Canada. He also expressed relief that no one was hurt and pledged the federal government’s full support for law enforcement authorities as they work to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The incident occurred at the Rahma Islamic Centre in Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba province. According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), individuals fired shots at the building from a vehicle before damaging the property with what it described as a blunt weapon while members of the community were assembled inside.
The NCCM said the attack reflected a broader pattern of anti-Muslim incidents across Canada. In a statement posted on X, the organization said similar episodes had become a near-daily occurrence and warned that Islamophobic violence was reaching unprecedented levels and risked becoming normalized if left unaddressed.
Winnipeg police are leading the investigation. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects and said no arrests had been made as of Thursday.
The attack has renewed attention on concerns over the safety of religious communities and places of worship in Canada. Police have not released information on a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Carney’s response underscored the federal government’s support for the criminal investigation while reaffirming Canada’s opposition to hate-motivated violence. His statement focused on ensuring those responsible are brought to justice through the legal process.
The Rahma Islamic Centre was occupied at the time of the incident, according to the NCCM, making the absence of injuries a significant outcome despite the reported gunfire and property damage. Neither the organization nor police provided additional details about the extent of the damage.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims, one of Canada’s leading Muslim advocacy organizations, has frequently called for stronger measures to address anti-Muslim hatred and improve protections for places of worship. Following the Winnipeg attack, the group again highlighted what it said was a growing trend of Islamophobic incidents affecting Muslim communities across the country.
Canadian authorities have repeatedly stated that hate-motivated crimes are investigated seriously under the country’s criminal justice system. In this case, Winnipeg police have continued gathering evidence and have not announced whether the shooting is being investigated as a hate crime.
Officials have not disclosed further details about the vehicle allegedly involved or the number of people believed to have participated in the attack. The investigation remains active as police seek information that could help identify those responsible.
