A wave of threatening emails targeting Islamic schools operated by the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) has prompted multiple police investigations nationwide, as the organisation confirms nine of its institutions received the same anonymous message within a 24-hour window.
The correspondence, which has been shared with The Canadian Press, was signed by a “Citizen Vigilante” and contained chilling threats of violence against Muslims, declaring that Canada would become “Islam free.” Nabil Sultan, a MAC spokesperson whose own child attends one of the affected schools, described reading the letter as devastating.
“This is the first time the non-profit’s schools have been targeted in such a direct way,” Sultan said, noting the organisation has long received threatening and Islamophobic correspondence.
Police Response Across Provinces
Law enforcement agencies have moved swiftly in response to the threats. Peel Regional Police confirmed they are aware of “hate-motivated threats” against Islamic institutions and have increased overnight patrols near mosques and schools, with operations continuing into the weekend.
Meanwhile, officers in London, Ontario, and the Waterloo region have launched their own investigations, with Waterloo police confirming they visited a school and conducted safety planning with administrators. Ottawa police have boosted visibility at affected locations but stated there is currently no indication of a “specific or imminent threat.”
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree condemned the threats unequivocally, stating: “Every child deserves to learn in safety, and every family deserves to feel secure sending their child to school. These threats are unacceptable and have no place in Canada.”
A Pattern of Rising Hate
Sultan pointed to a troubling context for these latest threats, citing the 2021 killings of four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario—an act ruled terrorism—as well as the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting that claimed six lives.
The latest Statistics Canada data reveals the number of police-reported hate crimes against Muslims surged by more than 170 per cent between 2020 and 2024. Sultan argued these figures underscore an “environment of Islamophobia and xenophobia” that continues to breed violence against visible minorities.
“These threats are real, and we know that they are real,” Sultan stated. “The targeting of children, the targeting of schools, in that kind of way is something that shook us to our core.”
Students Bear the Emotional Weight
The presence of paid security and increased police patrols has done little to ease anxiety among pupils. Sultan reported that students feel “scared and vulnerable” walking past officers on their way to class, with the threats raising painful questions about belonging.
“All of the things that we try to teach our children in these schools is that they are equal to any other Canadian, that they have equal rights and responsibilities,” Sultan explained. “Threats like this really make them question if they belong because of the way they pray and because of their faith.”
Why it Matters
These threats strike at the heart of Canada’s commitment to pluralism and safety for all communities. When children are made to feel unwelcome in their own schools because of their faith, the damage extends far beyond the immediate fear—it undermines the social fabric that holds diverse communities together. The sharp rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes demands more than reactive policing; it requires a sustained national conversation about inclusion, education, and the consequences of allowing xenophobic rhetoric to flourish unchecked.
