One man has been charged after vandalism was reported at a Jewish centre in Ontario.
Saeed Ahmad, 35, of Georgina, Ontario has been charged with Mischief in Relation to Religious Property.
York Regional Police announced the arrest following an investigation into reported vandalism on October 19 at the Chabad Jewish Centre in Georgina.
Ahmad is alleged to have damaged the Centre’s sukkah, a ceremonial hut created for the Jewish festival of Sukkot. Ahmad is also alleged to have damaged a sign on the Centre’s property.
Despite being arrested by the York Regional Police Hate Crimes Unit, Ahmad has not been charged with any hate crime.
Police said in a statement that Ahman will remain in custody until his bail hearing.
The vandalism in Georgina is just one of several acts of vandalism targeting the Jewish community of Ontario over recent years.
Earlier this month a synagogue in Hamilton was targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti, with swastikas spray-painted around the building.
Another instance saw a glass door smashed at a synagogue in Thornhill.
York Regional Police reiterated their zero tolerance policy towards hate crimes.
“York Regional Police does not tolerate hate crime in any form. Those who victimize individuals based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
