In two separate incidents only days apart, vandals struck in Thornhill with hateful attacks on both the community’s Jewish and Arab communities.
The first incident occurred at the Jaffari Centre, an Islamic community centre and mosque near Bathurst Street and Highway 7. Passersby were shocked to see the phrases “Arab Go Home” and “Fuck Gaza” scrawled across a sidewalk leading to the centre. Days later, the words “Fuck Israel” and a swastika symbol were found spray-painted on a bus stop in the Beverley Glen neighbourhood.
Jaffari spokesperson Shabbir Jaffer said that though the act was disturbing, the community is trying to get back to normal.
“Right after the incident happened, we celebrated Eid, so obviously we tried to put on a brave face,” said Jaffer, who added that he was hopeful that Canadians would remain peaceful despite the current tensions in Gaza. “Everyone fears for what’s happening there, but we want to keep Canada a safe and sensible environment.”
Councillor Howard Shore says that both acts hurt the community deeply and can trigger a sense of fear. “In a predominantly Jewish community, especially with a lot of seniors, seeing a swastika or the words ‘F Israel,’ that’s very heavy stuff.” Shore was appalled by the graffiti at the Jaffari Centre. He said that he has witnessed a great deal of Islamophobia during his time as a councillor, despite Markham’s increasing diversity. “When the subtext is ‘every Muslim is a terrorist,’ you can get away with that kind of crap.”
On Aug. 10, a 19-year-old Toronto man was arrested in connection with the bus stop graffiti as well as similar incidents in 2013 and early 2014. The investigation into the Jaffari Centre graffiti is still ongoing. Constable Andy Pattenden, York Regional Police, said that it can be hard to find a suspect in graffiti cases.
“It’s not like tagging where they’re using a particular technique or logo identifying themselves,” said Pattenden. “They are difficult investigations, but we have increased patrols in the area and we’re doing everything we can.”