The President of the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec was victim of a hate crime

The vehicle of the President of the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec (CCIQ), Mohamed Labidi, was set on fire during the night of August 5th to 6th, when he was parked close to his residence, reports Radio Canada. It was a little before 1.30 am on Sunday that the incident occurred. Firefighters took about 30 minutes to control the fire and the police are still looking for one or more suspects. No person related to the event has been arrested until today.

«A police investigation is underway» said Étienne Doyon, spokesman for the Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ). The same source also indicates that not revealing the case was requested by the family of the victim, but also for the sake of the investigation.

The act of vandalism took place just 36 hours after the announcement of the creation of a Muslim cemetery. The Islamic Cultural Center was about to purchase a municipal land for $270,000 to build a cemetery for the Muslim community near Belmont Cemetery, in the Saint-Foy area in Quebec.

The members of the CCIQ Board of Directors declined any request for interviews, but in a press release they urged the public and elected officials to «pay particular attention to the rise of the extreme right in Quebec City.» They are also calling for help to keep up the pressure so that the means are put in place in order to fight against these hateful gestures.