CANADA — Police in Ontario say a Toronto man has been charged after investigators received reports of online threats directed at the Ahmadiyya Durham Mosque Baitul Mahdi in Pickering, an incident that has renewed concerns about the safety of Muslim worshippers and community institutions. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026; CityNews Toronto, January 30, 2026)

Durham Regional Police said its Hate Crime and Extremism Unit was notified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on January 28, 2026, about threats targeting the mosque at 3505 Salem Road. Police said the suspect was identified and arrested without incident at a residence in Toronto the next day. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026)

Police identified the accused as Ivan John Mujan, 65, of Toronto, who was charged with uttering threats. Police said he was released on an undertaking while the case proceeds. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026; CityNews Toronto, January 30, 2026)

Authorities did not publicly detail the wording, platform, or exact nature of the alleged threats, and police emphasized that allegations have not been proven in court. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026)

Under Canada’s Criminal Code, the offence of uttering threats covers threats to cause death or bodily harm, threats to burn or damage property, and threats to harm an animal or bird that is someone’s property; the prosecution must still prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt in court. (Source – Justice Laws Website, accessed January 31, 2026)

Police response and the wider climate around mosque safety

Durham police said incidents that target or instill fear in any group are unacceptable and acknowledged the impact such cases can have, particularly for Muslim communities, adding that officers were working with community leaders to provide support and reassurance. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026)

Police also noted that “hate crime” is not a standalone offence under the Criminal Code; instead, where a crime is found to be motivated by hate, that factor can be considered at sentencing and can increase the severity of the penalty. (Source – Durham Regional Police Service, January 30, 2026)

The case comes amid broader concern in Canada about threats and harassment directed at religious communities, including Muslim institutions, with Muslim advocates frequently urging a focus on prevention, protection, and consistent enforcement when intimidation targets houses of worship. (Source – CityNews Toronto, January 30, 2026)

National data has shown a sustained rise in police-reported hate crimes in recent years, including those motivated by religion. Statistics Canada reports that police-reported hate crimes targeting Muslims rose from 84 incidents in 2020 to 229 incidents in 2024, a significant increase over the period. (Source – Statistics Canada, August 27, 2025)

The Canadian Human Rights Commission has also pointed to the same trend, stressing that reported figures likely understate the scale of harm because many victims do not report incidents to police. (Source – Canadian Human Rights Commission, January 29, 2026; Statistics Canada, August 27, 2025)

Islamic and Ethical Context

For Muslims, a mosque is not only a building but a place of sujood, community care, and learning, and The Quran frames the protection of worship and public safety as part of a just society. Hadith Books also emphasise that causing harm, spreading fear, or intimidating others violates basic duties of neighbourliness and public trust.

In Canada’s legal setting, the ethical principle is closely aligned with the civic one: threats against people or property are treated as serious offences, and accountability is meant to be determined through due process in the courts.

In The Seerah, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is consistently described as addressing community tensions through firm justice, clear limits on harm, and protection for the vulnerable—principles Muslims often cite when calling for safety measures that protect worshippers without stereotyping entire communities.