Rising Islamophobic Threats in Canada, Singapore, and Sweden Spark Global Concern
Muslim communities across three continents are voicing alarm after a wave of incidents seen as targeting places of worship and faith identity.
In Canada, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) condemned a Facebook event that invoked the name of Alexandre Bissonnette, the convicted gunman responsible for the 2017 Quebec City mosque massacre. The event, scheduled on the anniversary of the attack, was promoted as a rally against the “Islamization of Quebec.” NCCM described it as “deeply horrifying and concerning” and urged accountability for organizers and participants. The post has since been removed.
In Singapore, the Al-Istiqamah Mosque in Serangoon North was evacuated on September 24 after a suspicious parcel was discovered on its premises. According to officials, the package contained meat believed to be pork, considered offensive within Islamic practice. The Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed there were no hazardous materials, though one person was treated for breathlessness. Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam stressed the seriousness of the act, warning that attempts to intimidate or offend religious communities would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, in Sweden, a mosque in the town of Hultsfred was destroyed in a fire late at night. Police suspect arson and have launched an investigation. Local media reported that the entire building was reduced to ruins, raising fears about the safety of Muslims amid growing Islamophobic sentiment in the country.
Together, these incidents highlight the persistence of Islamophobic actions worldwide, ranging from symbolic hate online to physical threats against Muslim places of worship. Community leaders are urging stronger protections and decisive responses to prevent further escalation.
