Harper condemns attacks on Gatineau Mosque

A Gatineau mosque bore the scars of hateful graffiti this morning after its facade was spray painted with Stars of David and offensive anti-Arab and Muslim messages and cars were smashed in the facility's parking lot.  This is only the most trecent in a spate of such attacks in that area.

Prime Minister Harper and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center of Canada both condemned the anti-Muslim and racist vandalism.

This deplorable act reflects an unusual new chapter in senseless racist symbolism. Racially motivated vandals paint emblems representing something their victims would find offensive or ones that identify them for targeting. In the early days of Hitler's Germany before the destruction switched from property to people, Jewish stores were painted with swastikas to offend and Stars of David to identify.

During the current upheavals in the Arab world, various sides paint Stars of David on depictions of their enemies. In Egypt and Libya respectively, opposition parties showed pictures of Hosni Mubarak and Mouamar Gaddafi with Jewish stars drawn on them. The implication being that being a Jew or allied with Jews is the most offensive thing that can be said about a Muslim.

And now we're seeing it here in Canada.